Chylous Leak During Posterior Approach to Juvenile Scoliosis Surgery: A Case Report

Publication Date

2020

Journal Title

JBJS Case Connect

Abstract

CASE: We report the first documented case of chylous leak recognized intraoperatively during posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion for juvenile scoliosis in a female patient with a history of thoracotomy and decortication for an empyema. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic duct injury can lead to severe morbidity and mortality because of chylothorax formation. Although chylous leaks are a well-documented complication of the anterior approach to spine surgery, leaks during the posterior approach are rarely reported. When these chylous leaks are recognized intraoperatively, the likelihood of serious complications may be minimized by drain placement before closure.

Volume Number

10

Issue Number

1

Pages

e0100

Document Type

Article

Status

Faculty

Facility

School of Medicine

Primary Department

Orthopedic Surgery

PMID

32224664

DOI

10.2106/JBJS.CC.19.00100

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