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LOW THORACIC DUCT LIGATION FOR POSTOPERATIVE CHYLOUS EFFUSIONS IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN
Author(s) -
Johnson D. C.,
Cartmill T. B.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.111
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 0004-8682
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-2197.1977.tb03944.x
Subject(s) - medicine , chyle , chylothorax , thoracic duct , ligation , surgery , cardiothoracic surgery , lymph , complication , psychiatry
Three patients aged from three months to six years underwent thoracic duct ligation at the level of the diaphragm for chylothorax which occurred following cardiac operations. Another three‐month‐old patient underwent thoracic duct ligation for massive postoperative chylopericardium. Indications for operation were a large recurrent chyle accumulation or prolonged chyle drainage. Operative ductograms to deliniate the cisterna chyli and to exclude the presence of multiple lymph channels were performed in three patients. Excellent postoperative results were obtained in all patients for periods of up to two years. Low thoracic duct ligation is a reliable means of control of postoperative chylothorax and lengthy persistence with conservative treatment is no longer necessary.