Octreotide for chyle leak – pro
Chylothorax is a well-documented complication of thoracic trauma and is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The mechanism may involve inhibition of lymph fluid excretion through specific receptors found in the normal intestinal wall of lymphatic vessels. Treatment for chylothorax includes conservative measures (total parenteral nutrition, pleural drainage, and pleurodesis) and surgery (thoracic duct ligation). The use of octreotide may decrease chyle secretion rate, but the evidence to support its use is fairly minimal, and consists of case reports.
Annabel J. Sharkey et al,The Successful Use of Octreotide in the Treatment of Traumatic Chylothorax. Tex Heart Inst J. 2012; 39(3): 428–430.
Altun G, Pulathan Z, Kutanis D, Hemsinli D, Erturk E, Civelek A. Conservative management of chylothorax after coronary artery bypass grafting. Tex Heart Inst J. 2015;42(2):148-51.
Uptodate, 2019, https://www.uptodate.com/contents/chylous-bloody-and-pancreatic-ascites