[Chylothorax after cardiothoracic surgery].

8 patients with postoperative chylothorax were reported: 7 after resection of esophageal carcinoma, 1 after radical correction of tetralogy of Fallot. 1 case was treated conservatively and 7 by ligation of thoracic duct after rethoracotomy. All the cases recovered. The factors causing postoperative chylothorax, the principles of treatment, and the role of prophylactic ligation of thoracic duct were discussed. The authors point out that, the mechanisms of postoperative chylothorax after open heart surgery by sternotomy may be: (1) injury of perithymotic and anterior mediastinal lymph ducts; (2) injury of thoracic duct through posterior wall of pericardium; and (3) effect of hypertension of systemic veins on flow of thoracic duct.