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Background. Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial tissue (stroma and functional glands) outside the uterine cavity in women of reproductive age. Ectopic sites are frequently located in the pelvis; extrapelvic sites have been reported in the gastrointestinal tract and thoracic cavity. Thoracic manifestation of endometriosis constitutes thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES). Objectives. To examine the presentation pattern and outcome of in the management of TES. Methods. This study is a retrospective review of medical records of patients diagnosed with endometriosis at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital over a 3.5-year period from January 2014 to June 2017. Results. A total of 21 patients presented with endometriosis, of whom 8 (38.1%) presented with TES. The most common variety of TES was catamenial pleural effusion (CPE) accounting for 75%, followed by catamenial chest pain (37.5%). Two patients (25%) each presented with catamenial pneumothorax and catamenial haemoptysis, while 1 (12.5%) had catamenial surgical emphysema. Closed thoracostomy tube drainage plus chemical pleurodesis was the most frequent intervention technique, accounting for 62.5%. Conclusion. TES remains an uncommon entity, despite being the most common extrapelvic manifestation of endometriosis. CPE appeared to be the most common variant of TES in our environment. Currently available treatment options need to be improved, and more use made of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

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Postoperative chylothorax remains a clinical challenge to the surgeon with substantial morbidity and risk of mortality. Though an uncommon complication, it is known to complicate cardiac and non-cardiac thoracic surgeries. Conservative measures are first employed in managing this. Surgical options are adopted when the effusion is protracted, most recent of which includes diaphragmatic fenestration. A 9-year-old girl is presented who developed recurrent right chylothorax following thoracoscopic excision of a cystic lymphangioma. Following failed conservative therapy, she had thoracic duct ligation and right diaphragmatic fenestration (using fenestrated polytetrafluoroethylene patch) with satisfactory outcome. Aetio-pathologic mechanisms implicated in postoperative chylothorax have been classified into traumatic (iatrogenic injury to the thoracic duct or its branches) and non-traumatic. With initial conservative measures (repeated pleural aspirations and intercostal drainage, medium chain triglyceride/ low fat feeds or alternatively, fasting and total parenteral nutrition) spontaneous closure remains unpredictable. Diaphragmatic fenestration when employed resulted in faster resolution of effusion and earlier commencement of enteral feeding with no significant complication. Diaphragmatic fenestration is effective and safe for treating refractory post-operative chylothorax.

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