The incidence and management of chylous fistulae.
Two hundred neck dissections performed at Toronto General Hospital over a 3 year period are reviewed. There were six intra-operative lymph leaks and five postoperative chylous fistulae. The postoperative chylous fistulae are analysed in detail and the approach to conservative management of lymph leaks is discussed. Two cases required re-exploration of the neck; difficulty in identifying the site of leakage and of sealing lymph channels is discussed. Also reported is the successful use of topical tetracycline powder in two cases and a review of the various treatment modalities advocated in the literature.
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Toronto, Canada.
T E
TE
Havas
P J
PJ
Gullane
R N
RN
Kassel
D000368:Aged; D002913:Chyle; D005402:Fistula / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008196:Lymph / Q000378:metabolism; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck / Q000601:surgery*; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000627:therapeutic use
D013752:Tetracycline