Case report: Balloon compression for cervical chyle leakage post neck dissection

Abstract

Postoperative chyle leakage (CL) is a rare but severe complication after neck dissection, and most patients with this complication can be treated conservatively. However, in patients with high-flow leakage, efficient and well-tolerated conservative treatment options are still lacking, and the treatments can be complicated. In this study, we report a case with CL of 1100 ml/day after neck dissection that was successfully treated by balloon compression.

Chyle leak after head and neck surgeries: a comprehensive review of diagnosis and management strategies

“…Fifty-one reports were retrieved and assessed for eligibility. Finally, 40 articles were shortlisted and included in this review 7 - 46 . ( Fig.…”

“…In the 40 studies, 139 patients were reported to have CL after head and neck surgeries (26 left neck dissections, 4 right neck dissections, 19 bilateral neck dissections, 85 neck dissections with side unspecified, and 6 patients who underwent other procedures of the neck such as lobectomy, thyroidectomy, or parathyroidectomy) 7 - 46 . ( Table 1 , Supplementary Table 1 )…”

“…A novel strategy developed by Ding et al 30 involves compression using a Foley catheter. The balloon of the catheter was positioned between the internal jugular vein and sternal head of the SCM muscle and inflated with 10 mL normal saline.…”