title: Management of Chyle Leak after Head and Neck Surgery: Review of Current Treatment Strategies.
abstract: Chyle leak formation is an uncommon but serious sequela of head and neck surgery when the thoracic duct is inadvertently injured, particularly with the resection of malignancy low in the neck. The thoracic duct is the primary structure that returns lymph and chyle from the entire left and right lower half of the body. Chyle extravasation can result in delayed wound healing, dehydration, malnutrition, electrolyte disturbances, and immunosuppression. Prompt identification and treatment of a chyle leak are essential for optimal surgical outcome. In this article we will review the current treatment options for iatrogenic cervical chyle leaks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1540 Alcazar St, Suite 204Q, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
authors.forename: Sean W
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8587-7009
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Delaney
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Haoran
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1540 Alcazar St, Suite 204Q, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3924-892X
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shokrani
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1540 Alcazar St, Suite 204Q, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
authors.forename: Uttam K
authors.initials: UK
authors.lastname: Sinha