Federica Novegno1, Pierluigi Granaroli2, Luigi Ciccoritti3, Pierpaolo Lunardi2, Mario Francesco Fraioli2. 1. Department of Neurosurgery, Tor Vergata University Medical School, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", V.le Oxford 81, 00133, Rome, Italy. federicanovegno@hotmail.it. 2. Department of Neurosurgery, Tor Vergata University Medical School, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", V.le Oxford 81, 00133, Rome, Italy. 3. Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Chylorrhea resulting from injury of the lymphatic system during neck dissection is a well-known complication. It is an uncommon occurrence in spinal surgery, and only one case after right anterior cervical spine surgery has been described so far. Despite its rarity, chylous leakage deserves a particular attention since it may become a serious and occasionally fatal complication if not detected early and managed appropriately. METHODS: We report the case of a 42-year-old man who underwent a standard anterior cervical discectomy and fusion according to Cloward approach for a C6-C7 disk herniation. The patient developed a delayed prevertebral chyle collection on postoperative day 5, presenting with mild breathing and swallowing difficulties. RESULTS: He was managed with conservative care, including bed rest, low-fat diet and drainage pouch positioning, which led to the complete resolution of the fluid collection. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of the normal anatomy of the lymphatic system and of its variations is essential when planning an anterior spinal procedure, and represents the first measure to be adopted in order to avoid such complication. The prompt identification of a postoperative chylous fistula and the applicability of an individually based management's protocol may help in the majority of the cases to reduce the potential morbidity, without significant long-term effects.
PURPOSE: Chylorrhea resulting from injury of the lymphatic system during neck dissection is a well-known complication. It is an uncommon occurrence in spinal surgery, and only one case after right anterior cervical spine surgery has been described so far. Despite its rarity, chylous leakage deserves a particular attention since it may become a serious and occasionally fatal complication if not detected early and managed appropriately. METHODS: We report the case of a 42-year-old man who underwent a standard anterior cervical discectomy and fusion according to Cloward approach for a C6-C7 disk herniation. The patient developed a delayed prevertebral chyle collection on postoperative day 5, presenting with mild breathing and swallowing difficulties. RESULTS: He was managed with conservative care, including bed rest, low-fat diet and drainage pouch positioning, which led to the complete resolution of the fluid collection. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of the normal anatomy of the lymphatic system and of its variations is essential when planning an anterior spinal procedure, and represents the first measure to be adopted in order to avoid such complication. The prompt identification of a postoperative chylous fistula and the applicability of an individually based management's protocol may help in the majority of the cases to reduce the potential morbidity, without significant long-term effects.
Authors: F Santaolalla; J A Anta; A Zabala; A Del Rey Sanchez; A Martinez; J M Sanchez Journal: Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) Date: 2009-12-17 Impact factor: 2.520
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