A conservative approach to a thoracic duct injury caused by left subclavian vein catheterization

Thoracic duct injury is a rare complication of left subclavian vein catheterization. A significant injury could lead to chylothorax, a condition with high mortality rate if not treated. It is diagnosed with lymphography or by laboratory tests of pleural fluid aspirate. A 51 year old Caucasian male with a history of unregulated hypertension presented to our Emergency department (ED) with anginous symptoms and increased serum creatinine level. After the placement of a temporary central venous catheter for hemodialysis in left subclavian vein, he developed lymph leakage on puncture site beside the catheter, at drainage rate of 75 ml/h. In the absence of more serious clinical symptoms, conservative treatment with close patient monitoring and diet changes was chosen, rather than more invasive treatment options. (C) 2017 Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Egyptian Society of Anesthesiologists.