Quilotórax a Tensión: Reporte de Dos Casos

thoracic duct injury is a well described entity as complication from cardiothoracic surgery. however tension chylothorax is rare, and may become a life-threating condition. objective: to present 2 pediatric patients who developed hemodynamic and respiratory failures secondary to chylothorax. patients: the first patient was a 2-month-old boy who developed chylothorax three weeks after a norwood-sano surgery; he showed a severe respiratory and hemodynamic collapse. the second patient was a one-month old baby who developed an acute respiratory failure and oliguria two days after a patent ductus arteriosus surgery. in both cases the chest tube placement resulted in the release of chyle under pressure and resolution of the symptoms. conclusions: these two cases demostrate how chylothorax may provoke severe hemodynamic and respiratory effects. early recognition and treatment of this condition is important for improved outcome.