Korean J Endocr Surg.  2013 Sep;13(3):165-168. 10.0000/kjes.2013.13.3.165.

Chyle Leakage after Total Thyroidectomy and Central Neck Dissection: Report of Three Cases

• Hwang SO
• Choi HH
• Kim WW
• Park HY
• Jung JH

• KMID: 2375426
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/kjes.2013.13.3.165

Abstract

Chyle leakage is a rare complication of surgery for thyroid cancer that generally develops after lateral neck dissection. Here, we describe chyle leakages experienced after central neck dissection (CND). A total of 615 patients with thyroid cancer were treated by total thyroidectomy with CND between Jan 2012 and Dec 2012 at our facility, and three (0.49%) developed chyle leakages. The amounts of leakage were all less than 100 ml/day. One patient was resolved with conservative management, while the others were treated with conservative treatment and fibrin glue injection in chylous lymphocele. Chyle leakage after CND is very uncommon, and most cases involve minor leakage. Fibrin glue could be a treatment option for chyle leakage following CND.

Keyword

Chyle leakage; Thyroid cancer; Central neck dissection; Complication

MeSH Terms

Chyle*
Fibrin Tissue Adhesive
Humans
Lymphocele
Neck Dissection*
Neck*
Thyroid Neoplasms
Thyroidectomy*
Fibrin Tissue Adhesive