• H Fahimi, F P Casselman, M A Mariani, W J van Boven, P J Knaepen, and H A van Swieten.
• Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, St Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.
• Ann. Thorac. Surg. 2001 Feb 1; 71 (2): 448-50; discussion 450-1.

BackgroundThis study was performed to review our experience with postoperative chylothorax and describe our current approach. In addition, we wanted to estimate the impact of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) on our current management policy.MethodsFrom January 1991 to December 1999, 12 patients developed chylothorax after various thoracic procedures. Their mean age was 61.5 (range 31 to 80 years). The procedures were cardiac, aortic, and pulmonary operations.ResultsAll patients were initially treated conservatively. In addition, 7 patients needed surgical intervention, including one thoracotomy and six VATS. The site of thoracic duct laceration was identified and treated with VATS in 4 patients. In 2 patients, the leak could not be localized by VATS, and fibrin glue or talcage were applied in the pleural space. All patients were discharged without recurrent chylothorax.ConclusionsVATS is an effective tool in the management of persisting postoperative chylothorax. Its easy use, low cost, and low morbidity rate suggest an earlier use of VATS in the treatment of postoperative chylothorax.

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