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Robotic-assisted Left Pneumonectomy For Vanishing Lung Syndrome
Published on: January 23, 2026
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Tension chylothorax following pneumonectomy.
Hemang Yadav1, Matthew E Nolan1, Francis C Nichols2
1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
Respiratory Medicine Case Reports
|June 2, 2015
Summary
Post-pneumonectomy chylothorax, a rare surgical complication, can become life-threatening tension chylothorax. This study details the first conservative management of this condition using drainage and dietary changes, avoiding surgery.
Area of Science:
- Thoracic Surgery
- Surgical Complications
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Post-pneumonectomy chylothorax is a rare complication with an incidence under 0.7%.
- Post-pneumonectomy tension chylothorax is exceedingly rare, with only 7 prior reported cases.
- Previous cases were managed surgically with chest tube placement and thoracic duct repair.
Observation:
- A patient presented with post-pneumonectomy tension chylothorax causing hemodynamic compromise.
- This represents the first reported case of tension chylothorax following pneumonectomy.
Findings:
- The patient was successfully managed conservatively through thoracostomy drainage.
- Treatment involved a period of parenteral nutrition followed by a medium-chain triglyceride-restricted diet.
Implications:
- Conservative management may be a viable alternative to surgery for post-pneumonectomy tension chylothorax.
- This approach offers a less invasive option for a rare but critical surgical complication.
- Further research may explore non-operative strategies for managing similar cases.
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