Ann Thorac Surg 2006;82:1656-1657
© 2006 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Original Articles: Cardiovascular
Invited commentary
Glenn J. Pelletier, MD
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Drexel University College of Medicine, Section of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Saint Christopher's Hospital for Children, Erie Avenue at Front Street, Philadelphia, PA 19134
(Email: gpelleti@drexelmed.edu).
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In the past decade chylothorax after heart surgery in children has gained more attention because of a real or perceived rise in its incidence and the emergence of octreotide, the synthetic analogue of somatostatin, as a therapy. Whether postoperative chylothorax is recognized more remains unclear, because as Chan and colleagues [1] suggest, the complexity of congenital heart operations has increased and recovery with the reintroduction of enteral nutrition is expedited. However, this complication can produce significant morbidity from fluid and electrolyte imbalances, protein losses, and immunosuppression, all of which can lead to long hospitalizations and mortality. In several case reports and a small retrospective series including the current study, octreotide use has only been . . . [Full Text of this Article]
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Copyright © 2006 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.