Management of Chylothorax After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Two Case Reports and Review of Literature

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Thoracic Surgery
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Chylothorax is an exceptionally rare complication following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
• The optimal management strategy for post-CABG chylothorax remains a subject of debate, with varying opinions on conservative versus aggressive interventions.

Observation:

• This report details two distinct cases of patients developing chylothorax after undergoing CABG.
• Both patients were treated with intravenous octreotide for their post-operative chylothorax.
• The clinical course and response to octreotide were monitored in these cases.

Findings:

• Intravenous octreotide was administered as a management strategy for post-CABG chylothorax in these two patients.
• The study focuses on the application and potential efficacy of octreotide in this specific clinical scenario.
• Detailed outcomes regarding the resolution of chylothorax with octreotide treatment are presented.

Implications:

• The findings may contribute to the ongoing discussion regarding the management of post-CABG chylothorax.
• Octreotide presents a potential therapeutic option for managing this rare surgical complication.
• Further research could elucidate the role of octreotide in the treatment algorithm for chylothorax following cardiac surgery.