The Use of Octreotide Acetate in the Management of Refractory Chylothorax Following Surgical Treatment for Lung Cancer

: A 78-year-old man underwent right upper lobectomy with systemic lymph node dissection for lung cancer. On the 1st operative day, chylothorax was suspected by a large amount of yellowish-white fluid through the chest tubes. In spite of stopping the oral intake as a conservative therapy, a lot of chylous drainage was continued, and we chose surgical treatment at day 7 after operation, however, chylous discharge did not decrease significantly. Finally we decided to try octreotide administration subcutaneously. After continuous subcutaneous infusion of octreotide, the amount of chylous discharge was reduced dramatically. Then we have done 2 times of pleurodesis with OK-432. The chest tubes were removed at day 17 after the 2nd operation, and the chylothorax was improved. It was suggested that octreotide administration was a highly effective therapy against postoperative refractory chylothorax.