Octreotide to treat postoperative chylothorax after cardiac operations in children

Chylothorax after pediatric cardiac operations is associated with significa nt morbidity and increased hospitalization. An octreotide (a synthetic soma tostatin analogue) infusion (1 to 4 mug/kg per hour) with medium-chain trig lyceride diet or parenteral nutrition was used in 4 pediatric cardiac surgi cal patients after chylothorax was diagnosed. Resolution followed within 5 days in all without recurrence, while on a normal diet. (C) 2001 by The Soc iety of Thoracic Surgeons.