title: A case of chylous fistula after axillary dissection in breast-conserving treatment for breast cancer.
abstract: Chyle fistula is not a well-known complication of axillary dissection in patients with breast cancer. Although rare, this complication can occur as a result of anatomic variation of the thoracic duct and its venous anastomosis. Injury to the lateral terminating branches or lymphatic trunk, leading to retrograde chyle flow, is more likely than direct injury to the duct. We report a case of chylous fistula after axillary dissection in a patient with breast cancer, review the literature, and discuss the management of this rare complication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. s.c.donkervoort@olvg.nl
authors.forename: Sandra C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Donkervoort
authors.forename: Daphne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Roos
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Borgstein
mesh_terms: D001365:Axilla; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D008875:Middle Aged; D013897:Thoracic Duct