Conclusions
Intrapleural injection of OK-432 was useful for treating a
low-birth-weight infant with trisomy 18 who developed refractory
chylothorax after thoracic surgery. This approach has been shown to
effectively increase the concentration of OK-432 in cases with a large
amount of pleural effusion. However, there are some side effects,
including a fever and respiratory disorder. Given the small number of
cases involving pleurodesis with OK-432, the accumulation of cases is
difficult at present. Therefore, reports concerning the usefulness of
OK-432 for high-risk patients with chromosomal anomalies, like our case,
are essential to prove its effectiveness and highlight its side effects
and safety of use.