Chylothorax - what are the complications to expect for a one month old baby? she had a surgery last week to cure a coarcation of the aorta.

Resolves mostly: Chylothorax after cardiac surery mostly results from an injury to the thoracic duct. It is treated by drainage. Initially parenteral nutrition is given and this is then switched to a diet low in triglycerides so little chylus is formed (so called mct=medium chain triglycerides). After a few weeks the injury should be healed and normal diet resumed.

Not much: They all resolve. The chylothorax develops because a specific vessel which drains lymph--a protein and fat-laden fluid that is part of the body's immune system--was damaged. It heals and the chylothorax goes away. Sometimes a drain needs to be placed if it effects breathing, but again, it will stop and the drain comes out without any long-term issues.