Nursing

Intensive care medicine

Ecology

Biology

Surgery

Thoracic duct

Lung cancer

Chylothorax

Dissection (medical)

Complication

Lymph

Cardiothoracic surgery

Lung cancer surgery

Quality of life (healthcare)

Internal medicine

Pulmonary Surgical Procedures

Oncology

Medicine

General surgery

Cancer

Lung

Pathology

Key (lock)

Pleural cavity

Annals of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

Chylothorax is caused by the accumulation of chylous fluid in the pleural cavity due to the injury of the thoracic duct or its tributaries. Chylothorax following lung cancer surgery, especially pulmonary resection and mediastinal lymph node dissection, is a raw potential postoperative complication as previously reported. Chylothorax might lead to a high mortality rate if not addressed in a timely fashion. This article reviews the anatomy of the thoracic duct, risk factors of postoperative chylothorax, diagnoses and management with chylothorax, and intraoperative prevention of chylothorax. With the development of researches on postoperative chylothorax, more effective treatment and prevention measures need to be proposed to better solve this clinical problem.

Chylothorax after Lung Cancer Surgery: A Key Factor Influencing Prognosis and Quality of Life