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. 2015 Jul-Aug;32(4):370-4.
doi: 10.4103/0970-2113.159579.

Bilateral chylothorax as a complication of internal jugular vein cannulation

Puneet Saxena  1 , Subramanian Shankar  1 , Vivek Kumar  1 , Nardeep Naithani  1
Affiliations

Bilateral chylothorax as a complication of internal jugular vein cannulation

Puneet Saxena et al. Lung India. 2015 Jul-Aug.

Abstract

Central venous catheterization is one of the most prevalent procedures in the Intensive Care Unit. Complications are reported in about 15% of the patients and usually comprise of infection, arterial puncture, malpositioning, pneumothorax, local hematoma, hemothorax, and so on. Chylothorax is a rare complication of this procedure. We present a 42-year-old lady, who developed bilateral massive chylothorax after cannulation of her left internal jugular vein (IJV), due to direct injury to the thoracic duct during the procedure. The patient was successfully managed with bilateral chest tube drainage and omission of oral feeds for four days. Development of bilateral chylothorax as a complication of IJV cannulation is rare, but merits reporting, in view of a large number of central venous cannulations being undertaken. Critical care professionals should be aware of this rare complication of a common procedure to facilitate early identification and institute appropriate therapy.

Keywords: Bilateral; central venous catheters; chylothorax; complication; internal jugular vein cannulation; thoracic duct.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chylous effusion
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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