title: Laparoscopic ligation of the thoracic duct in management of chylothorax.
abstract: Laparoscopic ligation of the cisterna chyli at the level of the aortic hiatus was performed in a 69-year-old woman with post-lobectomy chylothorax refractory to 3 weeks of conservative therapy and one repeat thoracotomy with attempted ligation of a leaking lymphatic channel. This laparoscopic procedure was successful, and resolution of the chylothorax was achieved. We feel that this technique offers surgeons a valid, minimally invasive treatment option for a persistent chylothorax in which conservative management or more direct thoracic procedures have failed to control the chyle leak.
authors.affiliation: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Division of General Surgery, Springfield, USA.
authors.forename: Orlando J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Icaza
authors.forename: Kris
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kuhnke
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018196:Carcinoma, Adenosquamous / Q000601:surgery; D002916:Chylothorax / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008026:Ligation; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D013897:Thoracic Duct / Q000601:surgery*; D013908:Thoracotomy