Successful management of post-esophagectomy chylothorax/chyloperitoneum byetilefrine

Post-operative chylothorax and chyloperitoneum resulting from a thoracic du ct injury are possible complications of esophagectomy for carcinoma. Manage ment of such conditions includes conservative methods (pleural drainage, ch yle flow reduction and supportive nutrition) and surgery. Etilefrine, a sym pathomimetic drug used in the management of postural hypotension, also caus es smooth muscle contraction of the thoracic duct. We successfully treated three patients with post-esophagectomy. chylothorax and chyloperitoneum usi ng intravenous etilefrine. Etilefrine infusion allowed chyle flow resolutio n in a few days without any side-effects. As result of this experience, we believe that etilefrine deserves to be considered as an alternative therapy in the management of post-esophagectomy chylothorax/chyloperitoneum.