Bilateral thoracic duct ligation for persisting postoperative chylothorax

Abstract

Herein, we report the case of a patient with persistent postoperative chylothorax despite right supradiaphragmal ligation of the thoracic duct. Computed tomography lymphangiography after lipiodol injection demonstrated a correctly ligated right thoracic duct but an anatomical variation with patent left-sided thoracic duct, which was successfully ligated afterwards by video-assisted thoracic surgery.