Treatment of postsurgical chylothorax with fibrin glue.

The treatment of postsurgical chylothorax with fibrin glue is reported. Chylothorax developed in a 3 1/2-month-old infant 2 days after extrapleural ligation of a patent ductus arteriosus. At rethoracotomy the chyle leak could not be located. To stop chyle effusion, the region of the presumed leakage was sealed with fibrin glue and a pleural flap. It is suggested that early reoperation and closure of the chyle leak with fibrin adhesive should be considered in cases of postsurgical chylothorax in infants.