Abstract

Chylothorax is one of the side effects of thoracic trauma, which presents 2-7 days’ post-injury. The probability of mortality due to complications of thoracic duct injury is approximately 30%. Chylothorax should be considered as a diagnostic option in patients developing pleural effusion after penetrating chest trauma. The lack of essential proteins, immunoglobins, adipose cells, vita-mins, electrolytes, and water as well as drastic consequences may occur due to loss of chyle and lymph into pleural space. Persistent chylothorax can impair immunity by loss of circulating lym-phocytes, which may be corrected by dietary management. Conservative management should be considered as a useful and non-invasive approach for the management of patients with chylotho-rax. Timely intervention is highly critical in patients with thoracic duct injures given the 50% mortality associated with this problem if it remains unmanaged. Here, we presented a case of isolated thoracic duct injury following penetrating chest trauma which was treated successfuly via thoracocpic approach.