Refractory chylothorax following a transhepatic gunshot wound to the abdomen requiring unorthodox surgical treatment.

Abstract

An 18 year-old-male sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen which required an uneventful hepatorrhaphy. He later returned with a large right effusion and was diagnosed with a chylothorax. The output was persistent despite conservative measures. Thoracotomy with attempted thoracic duct ligation was unsuccessful at decreasing the output. Re-exploration and ligation of the thoracic duct was required thru an abdominal approach.

Keywords

• chylothorax
• gunshot
• trauma
• effusion
• thoracotomy