Nutritional Management in Patients with Chyle Leakage

Abstract

Chyle leakage is a rare and complicated condition, that affect nutrition status, leading to malnutrition from loss of proteins and white blood cells in chyle.  A milky appearance of the drainage fluid is often the initial clue. To confirm that a fluid is chylous, the triglyceride level or lipoprotein electrophoresis in fluid drainage should be analyzed. The causes of chyle leakage can be classified  into two groups, that first occur after surgery or trauma, second occur spontaneously in association with malignancy or tuberculosis infection. Chyle leakage can lead to multiple complications such as malnutrition, impaired immune function and risk for infection due to loss of fluids, nutrients, vitamins, and immune cell. Patient should be investigated to determine the cause of chyle leakage. The treatment of chyle leakage is cure the primary cause with supportive treatment by restrict food long chain triglyceride contained food for reduce chyle flow rate, so that patients have to adequate energy, protein, vitamins and minerals. The proper nutrition therapy is important for healthcare professionals to provide appropriate care for patients with this condition.