Bilateral Chylothorax after Modified Radical Neck Lymph Node Dissection / 대한내분비외과학회지

Bilateral chylothorax as a complication of modified radical neck dissection is extremely rare, but it is potentially serious and sometimes fatal. Early diagnosis and proper management is very important. We report here on a case of bilateral chylothorax following left modified radical neck dissection that was successfully treated with conservative management.

Bilateral chylothorax following right radical neck dissection.

Chylothorax is a relatively common complication in non cardiac thoracic surgery or chest injury. However, the accumulation of cycle in pleural space bilaterally following neck dissection is extremely rare, with less than 10 cases documented in literatures. We report a case of bilateral chylothorax following total laryngectomy and right radical neck dissection who was successfully treated conservatively. The anatomy, diagnosis and management of chylothorax following neck dissection are discussed.