Surgical Approaches and Operative Techniques for the Mediastinal Lymphatic System

Abstract

The thoracic duct injuries can occur at any anatomical level depending on the etiology which cause the developping of chylous fistula. Due to close relationships with the aorta, esophagus and heart, any surgery or trauma of these organs can lead to the injury of thoracic duct. Not the lesion itself, but the inability to recognize this complication at the right time of surgery or after a trauma, could have serious consequences. Treatment should take into account both the triggering cause and the extent of lymphatic leakage. First approach in the case of chylous fistula of the thoracic duct is conservative treatment. However surgery is an option too. This chapter underlines basic surgical knowledge about injury of the thoracic duct in mediastinum.