A rare complication in breast cancer surgery: chylous fistula and its treatment.
Chylous fistula is a complication related to thoracic duct injury, appearing in upper abdominal, thoracic and neck surgery. Occurrence of chylous fistula is very rare after modified radical mastectomy. We encountered a chylous fistula case after breast cancer surgery and successfully treated it conservatively. It is important that all surgeons dealing with breast surgery should be aware that, altough rarely, a chylous fistula can develop after axillary dissection. Experience related to the occurrence of this complication and its management when it occurs is quite restricted.
Sakman
G
G
Department of General Surgery, Cukurova University Medical Faculty, Adana, Turkey. gsakman@cu.edu.tr
Parsak
C K
CK
Demircan
O
O
D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002913:Chyle; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D015411:Mastectomy, Modified Radical; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013897:Thoracic Duct / Q000293:injuries*