The Journal of Laryngology & Otology

Table of Contents - June 2012 - Volume 126, Issue 06  

Clinical Records

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

V Prabhua1 c1 and C Passanta1

a1 Department of ENT, Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, Wales, UK

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.

(Accepted August 25 2011)

(Online publication April 19 2012)

Key words

Correspondence:

c1 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

Footnotes

Mr V Prabhu takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

Competing interests: None declared

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