Chylopericardium after Partial Arch Replacement Treated with Somatostatin Analog Administration and Lymphatic Embolization by Lymphangiography

Abstract

A 72-year old woman was transferred to our emergency department for evaluation of chest and back pain. She was diagnosed with Stanford type A aortic dissection based on computed tomography findings, and we performed emergency partial arch graft replacement on the same day. The patient was extubated the day following surgery, and oral intake was resumed on the second postoperative day. We observed cloudy drainage in the pericardial drain following the first feed and diagnosed the patient with chylopericardium based on biochemical evaluation findings. Continued drainage necessitated lymphangiography, which was performed on the 7^th postoperative day and revealed lymphatic outflow on the aortic arch lesser curvature side. The volume of drainage decreased subsequently and did not increase thereafter following resumption of oral intake. The patient was discharged on the 27^th postoperative day without any additional treatment.