{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Lymph or Chyle Leak After Neck Dissection in Patients With Thyroid Carcinoma: Results of a Study on 1724 Patients.
{Author}: Wang X;Wang S;Li C;Ruan Y;Li Y;Liu J;Guo Z;
{Journal}: Am Surg
{Volume}: 0
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: Mar 2021 4
{Factor}: 1.002
{DOI}: 10.1177/0003134820981723
{Abstract}: BACKGROUND: To discuss the prevention and treatment of lymph or chyle leak following neck dissection in patients with thyroid carcinoma.
METHODS: A total of 1724 patients with thyroid carcinoma received neck dissection in the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between November 2009 and October 2014. The incidence and management of leak were analyzed.
RESULTS: A total of 92 (5.34%) patients developed leak, 28 (1.62%) developed lymph leak, 59 (3.42%) developed chyle leak, and 5 (.29%) developed chylothorax. Medical management to stop postoperative lymph or chyle leak included pressure dressing, reoperation, fasting, or low-fat diet therapy.
CONCLUSIONS: Lymph or chyle leak may occur in thyroid carcinoma patients who underwent neck dissection. Clinicians should alert to leak when there were IV + VI region lymph node metastasis and should become aware of chylothorax after pressure dressing. A careful identification and ligation of lymphatic duct may be an effective way to avoid lymph or chyle leak.