title: Atypical presentation and transabdominal treatment of chylothorax complicating esophagectomy for cancer.
abstract: Chylotorax is a relatively uncommon and difficult to treat complication after esophagectomy for cancer. We report a case of a young adult male who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiationtherapy followed by Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy for a squamous-cell carcinoma of the distal esophagus. During the postoperative course the patient presented recurrent episodes of hemodynamic instability mimicking cardiac tamponade, secondary to compression of the left pulmonary vein and the left atrium by a mediastinal chylocele. Mediastinal drainage and ligation of the cisterna chyli and the thoracic duct was successfully performed through a transhiatal approach.
authors.affiliation: University of Milano, Department of Surgery, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rottoli
authors.forename: Iris S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bernardi
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bonavina
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D002916:Chylothorax / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged