Management of chylothorax in children.

Chylothorax is a collection of a white milky drainage from the lymphatic system within the thoracic cavity that can impair respiratory status as it accumulates. Management of this uncommon complication of thoracic surgery can include: total parenteral nutrition (TPN), low-fat enteral nutrition, thoracentesis to remove the chylous fluid, and surgical ligation of the thoracic duct, as well as octreatide infusion to control splanchnic blood flow. Nursing management of these patients can be complex and challenging.