Marc-André Buchwald1, Ursula Laasner2, Christian Balmer3, Vincenzo Cannizzaro2, Beatrice Latal4, Vera Bernet5. 1. Department of Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Children's Research Center Division, Zurich, Switzerland; Child Development Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Children's Research Center Division, Zurich, Switzerland. 2. Department of Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Children's Research Center Division, Zurich, Switzerland. 3. Department of Pediatric Cardiology, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Children's Research Center Division, Zurich, Switzerland. 4. Child Development Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Children's Research Center Division, Zurich, Switzerland. 5. Department of Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Children's Research Center Division, Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: vera.bernet@kispi.uzh.ch.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Children with trisomy 21 are prone to postoperative chylothorax, caused by malformation of the lymphatic system, after cardiac surgery. The clinical course of patients diagnosed with postoperative chylothorax and trisomy 21 was compared to that of patients without dysmorphic syndromes. Additionally, differences between the groups in composition, amount, and duration of chyle were analyzed to better understand chylothorax in patients with trisomy 21. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study using inpatient clinical databases during a 10-year period. RESULTS: A total of 2255 patients underwent cardiac operations during the period, of whom 160 (7.1%) patients were diagnosed with trisomy 21. Chylothorax developed in 122 children; 89 patients were included in our study. Of 160 trisomy 21 patients, 27 (16.9%) developed postoperative chylothorax compared to 62 (3%) of 2095 patients without dysmorphic syndromes (p = <0.001). Time on ventilation, stay in intensive care, hospital stay, mortality, and composition of chylous effusion did not differ between groups. The rate of thrombosis was significantly lower (p = 0.02) in the trisomy 21 group. CONCLUSION: Children with trisomy 21 and congenital heart disease are more prone to developing chylothorax after heart surgery than those without dysmorphic syndromes. However if they develop this postoperative complication, mortality, chylous composition, time in ICU, and duration of hospital stay is not different to from that of other infants or children with this complication. This is important information for the medical specialists involved and is helpful in counseling parents of children with trisomy 21 undergoing heart surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: This is a treatment study evidence level III.
INTRODUCTION:Children with trisomy 21 are prone to postoperative chylothorax, caused by malformation of the lymphatic system, after cardiac surgery. The clinical course of patients diagnosed with postoperative chylothorax and trisomy 21 was compared to that of patients without dysmorphic syndromes. Additionally, differences between the groups in composition, amount, and duration of chyle were analyzed to better understand chylothorax in patients with trisomy 21. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study using inpatient clinical databases during a 10-year period. RESULTS: A total of 2255 patients underwent cardiac operations during the period, of whom 160 (7.1%) patients were diagnosed with trisomy 21. Chylothorax developed in 122 children; 89 patients were included in our study. Of 160 trisomy 21 patients, 27 (16.9%) developed postoperative chylothorax compared to 62 (3%) of 2095 patients without dysmorphic syndromes (p = <0.001). Time on ventilation, stay in intensive care, hospital stay, mortality, and composition of chylous effusion did not differ between groups. The rate of thrombosis was significantly lower (p = 0.02) in the trisomy 21 group. CONCLUSION:Children with trisomy 21 and congenital heart disease are more prone to developing chylothorax after heart surgery than those without dysmorphic syndromes. However if they develop this postoperative complication, mortality, chylous composition, time in ICU, and duration of hospital stay is not different to from that of other infants or children with this complication. This is important information for the medical specialists involved and is helpful in counseling parents of children with trisomy 21 undergoing heart surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: This is a treatment study evidence level III.