The mainstays of therapy include surgical embolectomy and thrombolysis, but there is no clear benefit of one over the other. The patient responded well. Chylothorax is a rare cause of pleural effusion in association with cardiovascular surgery. After chylothorax was diagnosed, it was successfully treated with a thoracostomy tube and total parenteral nutrition. The patient had an uneventful recovery.
Nutrition is the most important issue in the treatment of chylothorax.
Once chylothorax is identified, nutritional support is the priority, since it will have an important role in the recovery of the patient.