title: Chyle leak following right axillary lymph node dissection: A case report and review of current literature.
abstract: This report discusses the case of a chyle leak following a right axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer. This presented as a sudden change in drainage character from a right axillary surgical drain from serous to milky white shortly after restarting a diet. The diagnosis of chyle leak was confirmed by laboratory testing of the fluid and managed with closed suction drainage. Chyle leak is a rare, but increasingly recognized complication following axillary clearance for breast cancer and melanoma.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA. Electronic address: jdagget1@health.usf.edu.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Daggett
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Watt
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Smith
keywords: Axillary lymphadenectomy; Axillary node dissection; Chyle leak; Mastectomy
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