Hostname: page-component-89b8bd64d-dvtzq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-05-08T03:40:23.179Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Left-sided neck dissection and chylothorax: a rare complication and its management

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 April 2012

V Prabhu  and
C Passant
V Prabhu*
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, Wales, UK
C Passant
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, Wales, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr Vinod Prabhu, Speciality Trainee, Department of ENT, ‘E’ Block, Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport NP20 2UB, Wales, UK Fax: +44 (0)1633 257 191 E-mail: hvinodprabhu@hotmail.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective:

We present a case of bilateral chylothorax, a rare but life-threatening complication, which developed following a left-sided neck dissection.

Method:

Case report and literature review.

Results:

Chylous leakage fistula is a known complication following neck dissection and occurs in 1 to 2 per cent of patients. After left-sided neck dissection, chylothorax is uncommon and bilateral chylothorax is even rarer. Chylothorax is encountered following certain thoracic procedures, especially superior mediastinal dissection for thyroid cancer treatment. We discuss in detail the successful management of a complicated case.

Conclusion:

We discuss various management options for this condition, and we summarise its successful management within our department.

Keywords

Neck DissectionChylothoraxChylePost Operative Complication

Information

Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 126 , Issue 6 , June 2012 , pp. 648 - 650
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2012

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

1Spiro, JD, Spiro, RH, Strong, EW. The management of chyle fistula. Laryngoscope 1990;100:771–4CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2Jabbar, AS, Al-Abdulkareem, A. Bilateral chylothorax following neck dissection. Head Neck 1995;17:69–72CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3Stuart, WJ. Operative injury of the thoracic duct in the neck. Edinb Med Journal 1907;22:301–6Google Scholar
4Tsukahara, K, Kawabata, K, Mitani, H, Yoshimoto, S, Sugitani, I, Yonekawa, H et al. Three cases of bilateral chylothorax developing after neck dissection. Auris Nasus Larynx 2007;34:573–6CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5Weider, WA, Steiner, RM. Roentgenographic demonstration of intra-pulmonary and pleural lymphatics during lymphangiography. Radiology 1971;100:533–9Google Scholar
6Crumley, RL, Smith, JD. Postoperative chylous fistula prevention and management. Laryngoscope 1976;86:804–13CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7Srikumar, S, Newton, JR, Westin, TA. Bilateral chylothorax following left-side radical neck dissection. J Laryngol Otol 2006;120:705–7Google Scholar
8Ng, RS, Kerbavaz, RJ, Hilsinger, RL Jr.Bilateral chylothorax from radical neck dissection. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1985;93:814–17CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9Kalomenidis, I. Octreotide and chylothorax. Curr Opin Pulm Med 2006;12:264–7Google Scholar
10Selle, JG, Snyder, WH 3rd, Schreiber, JT. Chylothorax: indications for surgery. Ann Surg 1973;110:245–9CrossRefGoogle Scholar