Treatment of cervical chylous fistula under the guidance of lymphangiography / 中华普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the clinical value of lymphangiography in the diagnosis and treatment of cervical chylous fistula.Methods The clinical data of 7 patients with chylous fistula at Department of Lymph Surgery,Capital Medical University Affiliated Beijing Shijitan Hospital from Jul 2010 to Aug 2015 was retrospectively analyzed.Lymphangiography was performed to investigate the site of fistula and condition of thoracic duct.Results There were 1 male and 6 female patients aging from 22 to 59 years.All patients underwent lymphangiography successfully with dynamic imaging clearly,which accurately showed the location of the leakage and the anatomy of the thoracic duct.There was compensatory branch or trunk drainage in 2 cases which underwent successful conservative treatment,the other 5 cases with leak ＞ 500 ml a day without clear compensatory branch underwent surgical treatment and were cured with no major complications.Conclusion Lymphangiography not only clearly locates the leakage and anatomical relationship of the thoracic duct,but also guides the choice of treatment and precise surgery,avoiding the secondary injury.