[2 cases of chylothorax during total parenteral nutrition: the etiopathogenetic considerations]

The authors report the onset of bilateral chylothorax during postoperative total parenteral nutrition. They underline the peculiar origin of the complication. Therefore, attention is payed to the possible pathogenic causes. The overload of fluids, in the elderly with minimal functional reserves, may increase central blood pressure, so to adversely affect lymphatic drainage causing chylothorax.