Chylothorax after blunt chest trauma: a report of 2 cases
Ikonomidis, J.S.; Boulanger, B.R.; Brenneman, F.D.
Canadian Journal of Surgery. Journal Canadien de Chirurgie 40(2): 135-138
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-428X PMID: 9126128 Document Number: 470672
Chylothorax is a rare complication of blunt chest trauma and is associated with fracture-dislocation of the thoracic spine in only 20% of these cases. Two cases of chylothorax after blunt chest injury are described in this paper; 1 was related to a fracture of the third thoracic vertebra. Closed chest drainage and total parenteral nutrition led to resolution of the condition within 3 weeks in both cases. In general, traumatic chylothorax should be managed conservatively for at least 4 weeks before surgical intervention is considered.