Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
4118793 | Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery | 2011 | 8 Pages |
SummaryChyle leakage post head-and-neck resection is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication. Management may be problematic and prolonged. Recently, thoracoscopic ligation of the thoracic duct has emerged as a promising technique to definitively treat this difficult problem.We present a recent case of a hemimandibulectomy, radical modified neck dissection and osseocutaneous fibular-free-flap complicated by a chyle leakage. The chyle leak was successfully treated with thoracoscopic ligation of the thoracic duct. In the light of our clinical experience and following a thorough literature review, we have proposed that complicated or high-output chyle leaks (>1000 ml day−1) should be treated with early thoracoscopic thoracic duct ligation.