Recurrent idiopathic chylothorax

Heda Melinda D Nataprawira
Oma Rosmayudi
Syaiful Effendy

Paediatrica Indonesiana
Vol 44 No 6 (2004): November 2004

The chylous drainage may lead to highmorbidity and may even compromise survival becauseof the large amount of loss, that is, deficits inlymphocytes, protein, and immunoglobulin. Thetreatment of chylothorax is still debatable withdifferent therapeutic approaches i.e., purelyconservative with elemental diet or total parenteralnutrition, or surgical (early or late) with ligation ofthe thoracic duct, pleurodesis, or placement ofpleuroperitoneal shunts. The purpose of this reportis to describe a case of chylothorax in a 2-year-oldgirl which was recurrent and difficult to manage.