Effectiveness of somatostatin in the conservative management of chylothorax

Dogan R., Demircin M., Dogan O., Oc M., Kuzgun E.

Turkish Journal of Pediatrics, vol.46, no.3, pp.262-264, 2004 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 46 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2004
  • Journal Name: Turkish Journal of Pediatrics
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.262-264
  • Keywords: Chylothorax, Modified Blalock-Taussing shunt, Pleural decortication, Somatostatin, Thoracic duct
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Chylothorax is a rare but potentially serious and well recognized cause of pleural effusion. Chylothorax commonly occurs following general thoracic and cardiac procedures. Additionally it sometimes develops secondary to non-surgical trauma, i.e. weight lifting. Here we report two additional cases with chylothorax. Somatostatin was added to conservative treatment protocol to increase effectiveness of therapy in both cases. Although the first case required surgical intervention, we avoided any surgical procedure in the second patient with conservative management combined with somatostatin.