Chylothorax--a rare complication after anterior and posterior spinal correction. Report on six cases.

The authors observed six cases of chylothorax of 2,000 operations for spinal deformities performed in the past 5 years: in one case of VDS, two Harrington operations, and three anterior strut graft operations. Chylothorax resulted from direct injury to the lymphatic system in four cases of anterior spinal surgery. One of the Harrington cases had a previous history of spontaneous chylothorax that had been managed surgically. The other cases of chylothorax observed after a Harrington operation was bilateral and probably caused by the central venous catheter. All cases were treated conservatively, and the duration of the chylothorax varied from 1 to 18 days.