Chyle Leaks: Consensus on Management?

Lymphatic injury leading to leakage of chyle is a potential complication that may arise from trauma or surgery in the chest, abdomen, or neck. Although the incidence of chyle leak post surgery is low (1%-4%), this complication can present significant challenges. Multiple approaches to the treatment of chyle leak have emerged, including nutrition, surgical, and pharmacological therapies. Although there are strong feelings among clinicians about the use of bowel rest, parenteral nutrition, or a low-fat enteral formula for the treatment of chyle leak, definitive evidence supporting one nutrition therapy over another does not exist. The lack of a clear consensus on the optimal management of chyle leaks makes this an area that is ripe for prospective analysis. (Nutr Clin Pract. 2008;23:529-532)