Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Chest Tubes”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 847 records · Page 47Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Open lung biopsy as an outpatient procedure.

BACKGROUND: Lung biopsies are frequently needed to diagnose diffuse interstitial lung diseases. Both limited thoracotomy (open lung biopsy) and thoracoscopy can be used for lung biopsies, but both procedures have traditionally required hospital admission. We report a series of patients that underwent outpatient open lung biopsy to show the safety and effectiveness of this practice. METHODS: We reviewed records of ambulatory, nonoxygen dependent patients with a clinical diagnosis of diffuse interstitial lung disease that underwent outpatient open lung biopsy between January 1997 and December 1999. All procedures were done by a senior surgeon using single lumen endotracheal anesthesia, a small anterolateral thoracotomy without rib spreading, stapled wedge resection, and no chest tube. Patients were discharged the same day. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients with a clinical diagnosis of diffuse interstitial lung disease underwent outpatient open lung biopsy. Mean age was 58 years (range, 21 to 74 years). Preoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second was 74.3%+/-7.0% of predicted. A pathologic diagnosis was established in all patients: usual interstitial pneumonia, 26 patients; sarcoidosis, 2; metastatic carcinoma, 2; desquamative interstitial pneumonia, 1; and mixed dust pneumoconiosis, 1 patient. No patient required a chest tube, overnight observation, or hospital admission. No complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Selected patients with a clinical diagnosis of diffuse interstitial lung disease can safely and effectively undergo diagnostic outpatient open lung biopsy. However, careful patient selection and attention to operative detail are essential.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Spontaneous pneumothorax: a single-institution, 12-year experience in patients under 16 years of age.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the natural history and outcome of spontaneous pneumothorax in patients under age 16 years. DESIGN: This is a retrospective review in which all patients admitted to the authors' institution (between December 1980 and July 1993) with a diagnosis of spontaneous pneumothorax were included. Information was obtained from the hospital records. SETTING: This study was performed in a university childrens' hospital. PATIENTS: All patients under 16 years with a diagnosis of spontaneous pneumothorax were included. RESULTS: Seventeen patients were admitted and analyzed. Only three admissions were for recurrence. The main symptoms included chest pain (100%), shortness of breath (41%), and cough (6%). Chest tube drainage was successful in 65% of the cases; the median time was 4 days. Two patients had a persistent air leak. An underlying cause was recognized in 42% of cases. Seven operations were necessary, and the mean follow-up periods is 31 months, with no recurrence reported to date. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous pneumothorax occurs in the pediatric population, although it is less common in adults. An underlying pathology is more frequently observed in pediatric patients, but recurrence is less common. Chest tube drainage alone is sufficient treatment for the majority of patients; however, a significant number require some form of surgical intervention.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Closure of bronchopleural fistula after pneumonectomy with a pedicled intercostal muscle flap.

OBJECTIVES: The value of the pedicled intercostal muscle flap for the closure of postpneumonectomy bronchopleural fistulas was studied retrospectively. METHODS: Bronchopleural fistula was suspected in case of fever, cough, putrid or haemorrhagic expectoration, in combination with a rise of WBC and CRP. Fistula diagnosis was established bronchoscopically. Two patients underwent an initial trial of bronchoscopic sealing, the rest were reoperated immediately after fistula diagnosis. Immediately after operation antibiotic irrigation according to culture sensitivity was started via a single chest tube drainage twice a day. After instillation of antibiotics the drain was kept clamped for 3 h. Culture samples were obtained twice a week. Empyema was considered eradicated, if three subsequent cultures showed no bacterial growth. After drain removal the patients were kept in hospital for another week and observed for clinical signs of infection, WBC and CRP were controlled. Age, side, sex, histology, TNM-stage, duration of hospital stay after fistula diagnosis (days), duration of treatment (defined as the duration of chest tube drainage in days after operation), total hospital stay (including the initial hospital stay for primary resection and the hospital stay for fistula treatment in case of readmission), fistula size (mm), interval (days) between primary operation and fistula formation, and bacteriology were recorded. RESULTS: Eight patients (seven male) were treated. Age ranged from 46 to 70 years (mean 57.86). Six fistulas were located on the right side. All patients had non small cell lung cancer. Interval ranged from 2 to 72 days (mean 26.9 days). Fistula size ranged from 1 to 7 mm (mean 3.43). Seven fistulas were successfully closed. Duration of treatment lasted from 15 to 28 days in those patients treated successfully (mean 17). Hospital stay ranged from 15 to 31 days (mean 24.4). In one patient the flap became necrotic, he was successfully treated with total thoracoplasty. One patient died on the 38th day after rethoracotomy due to aspiration pneumonia. At postmortem examination the bronchial stump was closed. CONCLUSION: The use of the pedicled intercostal muscular flap is an efficient method for the closure of bronchopleural fistula after pneumonectomy.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Diagnostic value of transbronchial, thoracoscopic, and open lung biopsy in immunocompetent children with chronic interstitial lung disease.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the diagnostic value of transbronchial biopsy (TBB), video-assisted thoracoscopy (VAT), and open lung biopsy (OLB) in immunocompetent children with chronic, diffuse infiltrates; to identify factors that may predict diagnosis in children requiring biopsy; to determine whether age, number of biopsies, or type of procedure are associated with diagnostic yield in children undergoing transthoracic biopsy; and to compare morbidity of VAT with that of OLB. STUDY DESIGN: As part of a prospective, descriptive study to define the clinical spectrum of pediatric interstitial lung disease, 30 immunocompetent children required TBB, VAT, and/or OLB for diagnosis of diffuse infiltrates. We reviewed and analyzed the following clinical variables: age; preoperative diagnosis; type of procedure; number of lobes undergoing biopsies; durations of surgery, chest tube insertion, and hospitalization; tissue diagnosis; and complications. RESULTS: Specific diagnoses were made in 50%, 60%, and 53% of patients undergoing TBB, VAT, and OLB, respectively. A variety of rare disorders was found, and tissue diagnosis confirmed the preoperative diagnosis in 25% of all procedures. For patients who underwent transthoracic biopsy, patient age of greater than 24 months was significantly associated with increased diagnostic yield, but the number of lobes biopsied and type of procedure were not. VAT was associated with shorter operating time, chest tube placement, and hospitalization when compared with OLB. The complications of VAT and OLB were comparable. CONCLUSION: Lung biopsy is an important tool for the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease in immunocompetent children, but the diagnosis of many children, particularly those aged 2 years or younger, remains uncertain.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Subarachnoid-pleural fistula after resection of thoracic tumors.

OBJECT: Little has been written about the appropriate diagnosis, investigation, and management of subarachnoid-pleural fistula (SPF). The authors report a series of patients with SPF that developed after resection of spinal tumor and discuss the diagnosis and treatment of this entity. METHODS: Between 1993 and 2002, nine patients with SPF observed after spinal surgery at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center were prospectively followed. In all patients the tumors were located in the thoracic region, and the most common entity was vertebral body metastasis (six cases), with renal cell carcinoma being the most common form of the disease (three cases). All but one patient underwent surgery via a transthoracic approach; in only one patient an intradural approach was performed. The most common presentation was overt cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, manifesting as chest tube drainage (four cases) or as leakage through the wound (one case). A definitive diagnosis of SPF was established in four patients, with evidence of extraspinal leakage on an 111In-radionuclide CSF study. Although all patients initially underwent a trial of lumbar CSF drainage, all but one required open repair, including creation of intercostal muscle (three cases) and omental (one case) flaps. CONCLUSIONS: After spinal surgery in which the thorax is entered, a diagnosis of SPF should be considered in any patient with abnormal chest tube output, persistent pleural effusion, or clinical evidence of intracranial hypotension. The diagnosis should be confirmed by performing a radionuclide-labeled CSF study. Definitive open repair is required in most cases and preferentially consists of a vascularized tissue graft, which is most easily obtained from an intercostal muscle flap.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Risk factors of prolonged postoperative pleural effusion after repair of tetralogy of Fallot.

BACKGROUND: Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is the most common cyanotic congenital heart disease, and total correction is the definitive treatment. Chest tube drainage of pleural effusion (PE) is essential after surgery. Prolonged PE (> 7 days) is one of the complications; it may increase hospital stay and the risks of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate and analyze the possible risk factors for prolonged PE after total correction of TOF. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients who received total correction of TOF between July 1999 and April 2001 were included in this study. They were divided into 2 groups according to the duration of chest tube drainage for postoperative PE: Group I had postoperative PE < or = 7 days; Group II had postoperative PE > 7 days. Detailed records were taken on patients' demographic characteristics, blood parameters, surgery, electrocardiographic and radiologic data, and angiographic and echocardiographic findings. The data of the 2 groups were compared using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test and Fisher's exact test. Risk factors were analyzed by logistic regression and model selection. RESULTS: Of the 37 patients, 16 were male and 21 were female. There were 32 patients (86.5%) in Group I and 5 (13.5%) in Group II. Mean patient age at repair was 1.82 +/- 1.29 years (range, 0.53-3.11 years). Significant differences (p < 0.05) between the 2 groups were noted for gender, age at repair, body weight, presence of wound infection, duration on heart-lung machine (bypass time), oxygen saturation before surgery, duration of endotracheal intubation, length of hospital stay, and Nakata index. These risk factors were analyzed by logistic regression and model selection. Two models were set up: Model 1--oxygen saturation before surgery, presence of wound infection, age at repair; Model 2--oxygen saturation before surgery, presence of wound infection. CONCLUSION: Prolonged PE is a significant morbidity after TOF repair. The risk factors for prolonged PE are gender, age at repair, body weight, bypass time, low oxygen saturation before surgery, wound infection after surgery, duration of endotracheal intubation, length of hospital stay, and Nakata index. Oxygen saturation before surgery and wound infection were major risk factors while age at repair was a confounder.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2002

Methylene blue-stained autologous blood for needle localization and thoracoscopic resection of deep pulmonary nodules.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has used a variety of preoperative techniques to localize deep pulmonary nodules including wires, plain methylene blue, colored collagen, indigo carmine, India ink, and barium. The authors describe their experience with a computed tomography (CT)-guided localization technique using autologous blood stained with methylene blue. METHODS: The authors reviewed retrospectively children who had pulmonary nodules localized using CT guidance with a mixture containing 3 mL autologous blood stained with 0.3 mL methylene blue. Nodules were resected by standard VATS technique. Postoperative chest tube drainage was performed selectively. RESULTS: Nineteen procedures were performed in 17 children (average age, 11 years). Operating time (range, 21 to 171 minutes) varied depending on the number of nodules resected. All resections were diagnostic, and 80% represented malignancy. Lesions averaged 0.9 cm in size (range, 0.3 to 3 cm) with an average pulmonary depth of 0.8 cm (range, 0.1 cm to 1.8 cm). One patient required conversion to an open thoracotomy because of malfunction of the endoscopic stapler. Forty percent of the children received chest tubes, and 53% were discharged home the same day. CONCLUSION: VATS diagnostic resection of deep pulmonary nodules preoperatively localized with methylene blue stained autologous blood is safe and effective.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Pleural bupivacaine placement for optimal postthoracotomy pulmonary function: a prospective, randomized study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine dependent chest tube losses of bupivacaine with paravertebral versus interpleural administration, thereby helping to explain the significant differences in pulmonary function that exist between these two techniques. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized study. SETTING: A single hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Twelve adult patients undergoing posterolateral thoracotomies. INTERVENTIONS: Paravertebral or interpleural administration of bupivacaine. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Analgesia, as assessed by visual analog pain scores and patient-controlled morphine requirements, was similar in both groups. Postoperative spirometric values were significantly better at most times with the paravertebral route of administration. Dependent chest tube bupivacaine losses were approximately four times higher in the interpleural group. CONCLUSION: Local anesthetic on the diaphragm might actively impair respiratory function through diaphragmatic and abdominal muscle weakness, while failing to contribute to pain relief.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Comparison of high-frequency jet ventilation with conventional mechanical ventilation for bronchopleural fistula.

In seven patients with acute respiratory failure and a bronchopleural fistula, the authors compared gas exchange and volume of gas lost via the chest tube during conventional mechanical ventilation (CV) and high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV). After the initial comparison, patients were randomized to HFJV or CV, unless one mode of ventilation was clearly superior based on preestablished criteria. In six of the seven patients, oxygenation deteriorated after the switch from CV to HFJV. The ratio of PaCO2 to FI02 declined from 227 +/- 167 to 133 +/- 100 (mean +/- SD, P less than 0.05), and the PaCO2 increased from 47 +/- 13 to 56 +/- 18 mm Hg (P less than 0.05). The mean chest tube leak did not change significantly. Randomization of the mode of ventilation was not performed in any patient because CV was superior by a priori criteria. We conclude that when acute respiratory failure is complicated by a bronchopleural fistula, HFJV with mean airway pressures comparable to those provided during conventional ventilation does not provide satisfactory gas exchange.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2005

[Emergency management of thoracic trauma].

Thoracic injuries are a major cause of mortality during the "golden hour" of trauma. Many patients with chest trauma die after reaching the hospital. Less than 10% of all blunt thoracic injuries require a thoracotomy, and many potentially life-threatening conditions can be relieved by simple procedures, such as chest tube insertion.Thus, many cases of traumatic deaths due to chest injury may be prevented by prompt diagnosis and a standardized therapeutic approach in the emergency room. A high index of suspicion for lethal injury patterns, based on the mechanism of trauma and the clinical presentation, is a crucial prerequisite for an adequate initial assessment and management of patients with chest trauma. The worldwide implementation of standardized diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines, such as the "Advanced Trauma Life Support" (ATLS) protocol, has led to a significant reduction of early deaths attributed to thoracic injuries.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Intraoperative plasmapheresis in cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of intraoperative plasmapheresis on total transfusion requirements, mediastinal drainage, and coagulation. DESIGN: The trial was prospective, randomized, and controlled. SETTING: Inpatient cardiac surgery at a university medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred ninety-three consecutive patients undergoing cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass. INTERVENTIONS: Intraoperative plasmapheresis (IP) was performed in 147 patients before heparinization; platelet-rich plasma was reinfused immediately after heparin reversal. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Mediastinal chest tube drainage during the first 12 postoperative hours was significantly less in the IP group (p = 0.022), but no difference was noted in total postoperative blood loss between the two groups. The amount of packed red cells and fresh frozen plasma transfused to the IP group in the intensive care unit was significantly lower (p = 0.02, p = 0.002, respectively); 51.4% of patients required no transfusion compared with the control group (34.5%) (p = 0.006). No differences were noted for data collected in the intensive care unit in terms of the mean duration of chest tube drainage, ventilator time, or any hematologic variables at baseline or at any subsequent time in the study. CONCLUSIONS: After cardiac surgery, intraoperative plasma-pheresis reduces early postoperative bleeding and decreases the need for homologous transfusions.

Blood Loss, Surgical↗
PubMed1992

Thoracoscopic resection of pulmonary metastases.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of thoracoscopic techniques to achieve parenchymal sparing wedge resection of peripheral lung lesions in patients with a history of malignancy, and to describe the morbidity, mortality, and hospital course associated with this approach. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with a history of malignancy and lesions on computerized tomography in the outer one third of the lung parenchyma. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Histologic analysis of resected lung lesions, operative findings, operative time, duration of chest tube drainage and hospital stay, operative morbidity, and mortality. RESULTS: Twenty-one thoracoscopic resections of pulmonary parenchymal lesions were performed on 15 patients. All peripheral lesions identified by computerized tomography were found at thoracoscopy and successfully resected with the Nd:YAG laser (n = 7), an endoscopic stapler (n = 10), or both (n = 4). The mean diameter of the lesions was 0.8 cm (range 0.2 to 1.5 cm). Histologic analysis revealed metastatic disease in 13 patients and benign disease in 2 patients. All resection margins were free of tumor. The mean duration of chest tube drainage and postoperative hospital stay were 1.8 +/- 0.1 and 3.3 +/- 0.1 days, respectively. Mean operative time was 111 min (range 45 to 155 min). One patient who underwent a right thoracoscopic resection developed a transient left vocal cord paresis. There were no other complications and no deaths. CONCLUSION: Thoracoscopy was successful in identifying peripheral lung lesions and allowed for parenchymal sparing resection identical in extent to that performed with open approaches. For select patients with peripheral lung nodules felt to be metastases, thoracoscopic resection may result in reduced morbidity, cost, hospital stay and allow for more rapid institution of therapy for the primary disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

An Audit of medical thoracoscopy and talc poudrage for pneumothorax prevention in advanced COPD.

OBJECTIVES: To prospectively study all patients with COPD and spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) who underwent thoracoscopic talc poudrage (TP) under local anesthesia to determine its efficacy and safety in recurrence prevention. METHODS: Data on clinical measurements, complications, duration of chest tube drainage, length of hospital stay, and outcome were collected. RESULTS: Forty-one patients (38 men and 3 women) with a mean (+/- SD) age of 70.7 +/- 7.2 years were treated. All patients had COPD, with a mean FEV(1) of 41 +/- 14% predicted. The majority of SPs measured 20 to 50% in size, and 34% were recurrent. Three grams of talc were insufflated into the pleural cavity without complications. Thirteen patients (32%) complained of pain, 5 (12%) developed fever, 27 (66%) had subcutaneous emphysema, and 7 (17%) had prolonged air leaks. Postoperative chest tube drainage and hospital stay were 4 and 5 days, respectively. Success was 95% after a median follow-up of 35 months. Four patients with FEV(1) of < 40% predicted died within 30 days of the procedure, yielding a mortality rate of 10%. FEV(1) (in liters), FEV(1) (in % predicted), and ischemic heart disease were risk factors that influenced early mortality. CONCLUSION: Thoracoscopic TP is effective for pneumothorax prevention and can be performed with acceptable mortality in patients with advanced COPD.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Effect of sternotomy direction on the incidence of inadvertent pleurotomy.

OBJECTIVE: Median sternotomy was performed by 2 different techniques in order to determine whether there was a difference in the incidence of inadvertent pleural entry. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Patients were prospectively evaluated and reviewed at a mean follow-up interval of 8.2 months. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety five consecutive patients underwent primary sternotomy at a single tertiary referral center. MEASURES: Planned outcome measures included, incidence of pleural entry, length of hospitalization, and chest tube site related postoperative morbidity. RESULTS: Group 1 (n=49) had sternotomy undertaken from the sternal notch proceeding downwards. Group 2 (n=46) underwent sternotomy performed from the xiphoid upwards. Mediastinal evaluation revealed a significant reduction in the incidence of pleural violation for group 1 (3) versus group 2 (11) (p=0.014). This difference was not found to be surgeon specific. CONCLUSIONS: Sternotomy undertaken from the sternal notch proceeding downwards is shown to be associated with a reduced incidence of inadvertent pleural entry. Potential advantages for this approach also include reduced respiratory morbidity, less chest tube site complications and a trend to reduced length of hospitalization.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Urinothorax: a rare pleural effusion.

A 68-year old man suffered severe respiratory distress, secondary to massive pleural effusion on the right side several hours after removing the nephrostomy tube from both right and left kidneys. A chest tube was placed and a yellowish fluid was evacuated. This was found to be urine from a fistula between the right pelvis and the chest cavity. Diagnosis and management of urinothorax are discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Factors related to recurrence of spontaneous pneumothorax.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this retrospective study was to identify factors associated with recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) in southern China, and to compare the therapeutic effectiveness of different procedures. METHODS: A total of 182 consecutive patients (89.0% male; mean age, 38.9 years), admitted with their first episode of pneumothorax, were reviewed retrospectively. Follow up was available in 138 patients (75.8%), including 68 treated by chemical pleurodesis and 70 by chest tube drainage alone. The cumulative recurrence rates with different therapeutic procedures and different chemical sclerosing agents were compared, and the factors that influenced the recurrence rate were analysed using Cox's proportional hazard model. RESULTS: The most common pre-existing lung disease responsible for pneumothorax was COPD (69.7%), followed by tuberculosis (16.5%). Recurrence was significantly more common in taller patients, patients with lower weight, and patients with secondary spontaneous pneumothorax. The cumulative recurrence rates in the pleurodesis therapy group after 6 months, 1 and 3 years were 13, 16 and 27%, respectively, whereas in the chest tube drainage group the recurrence rates were 26, 33 and 50%, respectively (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the recurrence rate for those receiving tetracycline compared with those who received gentamicin. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous pneumothorax patients who are taller, weigh less or have secondary spontaneous pneumothorax are more likely to have recurrences. The risk of recurrence is reduced in patients who undergo chemical pleurodesis. Since there was no significant difference between intrapleural tetracycline and gentamicin, gentamicin should be considered as a potential chemical sclerosing agent.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for fibrinopurulent pleural empyema in 67 patients.

BACKGROUND: The roles of different drainage procedures in the management of empyema have to be redefined now that video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been introduced. The debridement of fibrinopurulent stage II empyema with the use of VATS was assessed prospectively in regard to control of infection and restoration of pulmonary function. METHODS: Between January 1992 and May 1996, all patients at our institution with fibrinopurulent empyema that did not respond to chest tube drainage and antibiotic therapy were treated by debridement with the use of VATS. The patients were followed up prospectively by clinical and radiologic assessments 3 and 6 months after the operation and by spirometry 6 months after the operation. RESULTS: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was initiated in 67 patients, but conversion to open decortication was required because of the finding of advanced disease in 19 patients (28%). Forty-eight patients underwent successful debridement with the use of VATS. The mean operative time was 82.1 minutes (range, 50 to 135 minutes), the mean duration of postoperative chest tube placement was 4.1 days (range, 2 to 8 days), and the mean duration of postoperative hospitalization was 12.3 days (range, 4 to 42 days). No wound infections were observed during the postoperative course. Both the 30-day mortality rate and the recurrence (ie, need for thoracotomy) rate were 4%. The mean predicted vital capacity was 84.8% +/- 14.9% and the mean predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second was 88.6% +/- 19.2% 6 months after the operation. CONCLUSIONS: Debridement with the use of VATS is safe and efficient for stage II empyema, but open decortication should be used for more advanced disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Octreotide and chylothorax.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article reviews the current literature concerning the role of somatostatin and its synthetic analogue, octreotide, in the treatment of chylothorax. RECENT FINDINGS: Management of chylothorax includes evacuation of the pleural cavity through a chest tube to alleviate dyspnoea, and dietary fat restriction aimed at reducing lymph flow. When these measures fail to control lymph flow, surgical interventions are employed to achieve definite closure of the thoracic duct leak. Several case reports and series have shown that octreotide is safe and probably effective in both children and adults with chylothorax of different origins. The property of somatostatin and octreotide to induce leak closure is attributed to a decelerating effect on lymph flow, although their exact mechanism of action is not well defined. In successful cases, a substantial reduction of lymph drainage through the chest tube is evident within the first few days of commencing the drug, and treatment lasts for 1-2 weeks. Treatment failure has been also reported, however. SUMMARY: Accumulating evidence suggests that octreotide is a putative novel therapeutic intervention for chylothorax. It is imperative that randomized controlled studies are conducted in order to fully elucidate the efficacy and safety of this treatment.

Adult↗