Tension chylothorax: a rare life threatening entity after pneumonectomy
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Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Thoracoscopic Extended Right Middle Plus Lower Sleeve Lobectomy for Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Published on: February 27, 2026
Somsupha Kanjanauthai1, Tony Kanluen, Michael Bergman
1Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 West Grand Blvd, CFP-1, Detroit, MI, United States. somsupha@hotmail.com
Abstract:
Chylothorax is an accumulation of chyle in the pleural space due to disruption or blockage of the thoracic duct or its lymphatic tributaries. The thoracic duct carries chyle, which is defined as lymphatic fluid of intestinal origin, to the bloodstream. Chylothorax can occur due to traumatic or non-traumatic a etiologies. Chylothorax is a known complication of thoracic surgery and can occur after significant trauma. However, tension chylothorax is an extremely rare and life threatening complication after thoracic surgery. We describe a patient who developed tension chylothorax 2 weeks after a left pneumonectomy was performed. Early recognition and prompt treatment of this life threatening entity are essential.
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