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Bilateral Chylothoraces Without Chyle Leakage After Left-Sided Neck Dissection for Thyroid Cancer: Report of Two Cases

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Abstract

Bilateral chylothorax is a rare complication of neck dissection, but it is potentially serious and sometimes life threatening. Because of the rarity of chylothorax, surgeons are unfamiliar with its early signs, which allow a prompt diagnosis and effective management. Most cases reported in the literature were associated with a concurrent external chyle leakage, which occurred either during or after surgery. We report two cases of bilateral chylothoraces without concurrent external chyle leakage, which occurred after left-sided neck dissections for thyroid cancer. We treated both patients successfully with conservative management.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, the Catholic University of Korea, Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, 505 Banpo-Dong, Seocho-gu, 137-701, Seoul, South Korea

    Ja Seong Bae, Byung Joo Song, Mi Ra Kim, Woo Chan Park, Jeong Soo Kim & Sang Seol Jung

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  1. Ja Seong Bae
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  2. Byung Joo Song
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  3. Mi Ra Kim
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  4. Woo Chan Park
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  5. Jeong Soo Kim
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  6. Sang Seol Jung
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Bae, J., Song, B., Kim, M. et al. Bilateral Chylothoraces Without Chyle Leakage After Left-Sided Neck Dissection for Thyroid Cancer: Report of Two Cases. Surg Today 37, 652–655 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-006-3449-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-006-3449-5

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