Postoperative chylothorax with a duplicated left-sided thoracic duct: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Postoperative chylothorax is a potentially lethal complication after esophagectomy. A 53-year-old woman underwent subtotal esophagectomy. The thoracic duct was resected due to swollen lymph nodes. Postoperative chylothorax was diagnosed but conservative treatment was ineffective. Lipiodol lymphangiography revealed leakage from a duplicated left-sided thoracic duct. Left-sided video-assisted thoracoscopic ligation of the left-sided thoracic duct was performed. Because anatomical variations in the thoracic duct contribute to refractory chylothorax, lymphangiography is useful in detecting the position of thoracic duct injury as well as any duct anomalies. Based on lymphangiography, left-sided video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery could be considered in case of left-sided thoracic duct injury.