Diagnosis and Treatment of Neonatal Chylothorax(Report of 12 Cases)

Objective To explore the diagnosis and treatment of neonatal chylothorax.Methods The clincal data and therapeutic effect of 12 neonatus with chylothorax including 8 males and 4 females(aged 2 h to 28 days,average 10.7 ± 6.5 days) in our hospital from June 1999 to August 2011 were analysed retrospectively.Results In 12 cases of neonatal chylothorax,3 cases were cured by conservative therapy such as fasting and parenteral nutrition support;4 cases were cured by thoracic puncture effusion basesd on conservative therapy;4 cases were cured by detaining thoracic close drainage tube after thoracic puncture;one case was cured by ligating thoracic duct through surgical treatment.Conclusion Early clear diagnosis is the key to treating neonatal chylothorax;conservative therapies such as fasting,parenteral nutrition support and thoracic puncture effusion should be used timely;thoracic cavity closed drainage and surgical treatments are performed when necessary.