Successful Management Of Chylothorax Following Transhiatal Esophagectomy

Chylothorax is an uncommon complication following esophagectomy and should be suspected when there is an unexplained high-volume chest-tube output in the postoperative period. Prolonged conservative treatment for these patients who are already debilitated has been associated with high morbidity and mortality. Early operative intervention and ligation of the thoracic duct has been advocated to salvage these patients. We report the successful management of a patient with post-esophagectomy chylothorax.