Medical nutrition therapy for a patient presenting with a chylothorax

Abstract

A chylothorax can be defined as a leakage of chylous fluid from an abnormal or damaged thoracic duct or a main branch thereof, after an injury or obstruction in the pleural cavity. Management of a chylothorax includes surgical and conservative medical treatment that includes medical nutrition therapy. However, there is no clear evidence yet as to whether enteral nutrition or parenteral nutrition is the preferred nutrition support option for medical nutrition therapy.