Canadian journal of surgery. Journal canadien de chirurgie
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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.