2007 Volume 43 Issue 7 Pages 923-927
A 28-day-old infant was referred to our institution due to right pleural effusion. She was admitted because her right chest cavity revealed chylothorax. We managed conservatively for 15 days with chylous effusion drainage, medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) milk and total parenteral nutrition (TPN). The drained volume showed no change during the period of conservative management. Pleurodesis was performed through the intrathoracic injection of 8 mg of minocycline hydrochloride dissolved in 5ml of normal saline, and the drain tube was clamped for 1.5h. After the pleurodesis with minocycline hydrochloride, the volume drained from the tube decreased markedly. After 10 days, there was no drainage. There were no complications in this case. After the discharge, she showed no recurrence. We conclude that pleurodesis with minocycline hydrochloride is a safe and effective treatment for chylothorax in neonates and children.
