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Chylothorax complicating thoracic surgery: conservative or early surgical management?

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Abstract

Postoperative chylothorax is a rare complication in thoracic surgery. There is considerable controversy concerning the management of chylothorax with some physicians favoring conservative treatment while others favor a surgical one. Considering the current surgical experience with VATS and by reviewing the problems and outcome of conservative management, the guidelines regarding timing of surgery in patients with chylous leak need to be revised.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Thoracic Surgery Department, Sismanoglio General Hospital, 1 Sismanogliou Street, 15126, Maroussi, Athens, Greece

    Panagiotis Misthos, Meletios A. Kanakis & Achilleas G. Lioulias

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  1. Panagiotis Misthos
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  2. Meletios A. Kanakis
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  3. Achilleas G. Lioulias
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Correspondence to Meletios A. Kanakis.

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Misthos, P., Kanakis, M.A. & Lioulias, A.G. Chylothorax complicating thoracic surgery: conservative or early surgical management?. Updates Surg 64, 5–11 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13304-012-0133-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13304-012-0133-8

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