Guideline for Management of Chylothorax in Patients with Congenital Heart Disease
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Authors
Cook, Kristy
Issue Date
2021-12-17
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Abstract
Chylothorax is a post-operative complication following cardiothoracic surgery that carries significant mortality and morbidity. The incidence of chylothorax after cardiothoracic surgery has been reported between 2% and 5% with mortality rates ranging as high as 50% in postoperative patients (Savla, Itkin, Rossano, & Dori, 2017). The increased incidence of post-operative chylothorax in the CCU at Children’s Hospital and Medical Center is almost 4 times the national average, posing a significant risk and why this project was identified. To date there is no standardized approach or method of treating chylothorax postoperatively, placing patients at risk of inconsistent care which may result in further complications and increased hospital length of stay. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to develop a standardized approach with the use of a clinical practice guideline, to determine the early diagnosis and treatment of chylothorax. The initial goal was to implement and assess the effectiveness of a newly developed guideline to standardizing the treatment of post-operative chylothorax. With the implementation of the new guideline there was resolution of chylothorax in all five patients who participated in the project. This standardized approach proved to be a clear, thorough, and consistent approach to patient care.|Keywords: chylothorax management, treatment, and interventions, pediatrics, post-operative surgical complications, pleurodesis and low-fat diet
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Creighton University
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Copyright is retained by the Author. A non-exclusive distribution right is granted to Creighton University