Bilateral chylothorax following neck dissection for thyroid cancer

Bilateral chylothorax is mainly encountered following certain thoracic procedures. It is a rare complication following neck dissection, but can be serious and life threatening. The authors report a case of bilateral chylothorax following left modified radical neck dissection, right modified neck dissection and superior mediastinal dissection for bilateral medullary thyroid cancer. The patient was treated successfully with conservative management. The pathophysiology of this complication is discussed and multidisciplinary approach is advocated.