CHYLOTHORAX FOLLOWING BLUNT CHEST TRAUMA

The diagnosis of chylothorax following blunt chest trauma is rare, onl y few cases have been reported. We describe three patients with chylot horax following blunt chest trauma. Conservative treatment consists of drainage, in severe cases mechanical ventilation with PEEP and total parenteral nutrition. In case of persisting and/or increasing chylus p roduction, thoracotomy and ligation of the thoracic duct may be requir ed. In all of our patients thoracostomy was the definite therapeutic m odality, no thoracotomy was necessary.