The effectiveness of octreotide in the treatment of post-operative chylothorax

Chylothorax may be spontaneous or a complication of thoracic surgery. Treatment of this potentially harmful condition is not well established and may comprise dietary interventions and surgery. Somatostatin seems effective in the management of chylothorax, although its mechanism of action is unclear. Conclusion: octreotide, a somatostatin analogue, may be effective in the treatment of post-operative chylothorax.