Galactorrhea after pectus excavatum repair with intercostal cryoablation

Abstract

Galactorrhea is a physiologic response classically associated with gonadal-hormonal axis changes, medication side effects, and increased prolactin levels. A less common cause of galactorrhea is chest wall trauma, which includes surgical procedures affecting the chest wall. We present the case of an adolescent female with milky discharge from both breasts sixteen days after video-assisted pectus excavatum repair with intercostal nerve cryoablation. Evaluation was significant for elevated prolactin levels but otherwise unremarkable. Both the galactorrhea and elevated prolactin levels resolved without specific therapy. The etiology may be related to the surgical repair, cryoablation, or a combination of the two.

Keywords

• Pectus excavatum
• Cryoablation
• Galactorrhea