{"id":"18f024e2-e5d2-4f91-b6e7-4177eac01307","slug":"postoperative-left-sided-chylothorax-following-posterior-approach-in-late-onset-idiopathic-scoliosis-surgery","title":"Postoperative left-sided chylothorax following posterior approach in late-onset idiopathic scoliosis surgery","authors":["Jack Van-Loo","Nitin Adsul","Peter Loughenbury","Nigel William Gummerson"],"abstract":"Background: Chylothorax is an extremely rare complication of spinal surgery. We were only able to identify 15 previous cases overall, with only 5 involving a posterior approach. Case Description: A 16-year-old female presented with a chylothorax following a T4–L4 posterior spinal fusion for scoliosis. Postoperatively, the patient developed respiratory distress due to a left-sided pleural effusion. Laboratory tests (i.e., both gross and laboratory analysis) documented the fluid to be chyle. The patient required the placement of a chest drain and a low triglyceride diet to manage and resolve the chylothorax successfully. Conclusion: Chylothorax is a rare complication of spinal surgery and should be considered among the differential diagnoses involving postoperative respiratory compromise attributed to pleural effusions.","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/18f024e2-e5d2-4f91-b6e7-4177eac01307/featured/hero-1781559101579.png","publishDate":"2024-11-08T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.25259/SNI_823_2024","categories":["Spine","Case Report"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/13206/SNI-15-408.pdf"}