Congenital chylothorax: what is the best strategy?

Chemical pleurodesis with povidone-iodine has recently been proposed in persistent congenital chylothorax as an alternative method to surgery.1 We report the case of a neonate treated by povidone-iodine pleurodesis who developed shock and chronic renal failure. A bilateral chylothorax with fetal hydrops was diagnosed in a foetus at 34 weeks. Bilateral pleuroamniotic tubes were inserted and maintained until birth at 35 weeks gestation. The 3040 g female infant presented with respiratory distress. A bilateral pleural effusion rapidly re-occurred necessitating total parenteral nutrition and …