Claudia Sassano-Miguel

15.1.1 Name of Disorder

Chylothorax.

15.1.2 Clinical Definition

Chyle leakage occurs as a result of lymphatic injury from trauma or surgery in the chest, abdomen, or neck.

15.1.3 How It Is Diagnosed

Observed chylous drainage from a chest or other drainage tube. Fluid containing >100 mg/dL of triglycerides is considered indicative of a chyle leak.

15.1.4 Nutritional Implications

Decrease the production of chyle fluid by restricting long-chain triglycerides while maintaining or repleting nutritional status.

15.1.5 Pearls

Parenteral lipids are phospholipids delivered directly into the bloodstream and as a result do not pass through the lymph system as chyle. Therefore, IV lipids are not contraindicated in patients with chyle leaks.

Nutritional Algorithm for Patients on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)