Bilateral Chylothorax Complicating Mustard Repair of Transposition of the Great Vessels

Abstract

Less than 60 cases of bilateral chylothorax have been previously reported, and only two of these involve complicated Mustard procedures. We describe herein a patient in whom severe bilateral chylothorax developed three weeks after Mustard repair of D transposition. Complete reversal of this condition was obtained with revision of the constricted interatrial baffle and ligation of the thoracic duct. This cases is compared clinically with previously reported instances of chylothorax, and the role of played by obstruction of the superior vena cava after a Mustard procedure for transposition of the great vessels is emphasized.