[Chylothorax developed after cardiac surgery in children: a report of three cases]

Two children developed chylothorax after median sternotomy and a third child developed chylothorax after a Blalock-Taussig operation under the left thoracotomy. The first patient had a closure of ASD and a pulmonary valvotomy and then later developed chylothorax. The thoracic duct was ligated 10 cm just above the diaphragm at 28 days after the first operation because of unsuccessful conservative treatment. The second patient had a Blalock-Taussig operation and the third patient had radical operation for ECD and both developed chylothorax. The latter two patients were cured with conservative treatments such as the administration of Medium Chain Triglyceride or total parenteral nutrition with thoracic drainage. Children who developed chylothorax after cardiac surgery should be treated conservatively for at least the early postoperative period when circulatory and/or respiratory conditions are still unstable.