Thoracic Duct Embolization for Treatment of Chyle Leakage After Thyroidectomy and Neck Dissection

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intranodal lymphangiography and thoracic duct embolization

(TDE) for chyle leakage (CL) after thyroid surgery.

Materials and Methods: Fourteen patients who underwent intranodal lymphangiography and TDE for CL after thyroid surgery

were included in this retrospective study. Among the 14 patients, 13 underwent bilateral total thyroidectomy with neck

dissection (central compartment neck dissection [CCND], n = 13; left modified radical neck dissection (MRND), n = 11;

bilateral MRND, n = 2), and one patient underwent left hemithyroidectomy with CCND. Ten patients (76.9%) had high-output

CL (> 500 mL/d). Before the procedure, surgical intervention was attempted in three patients (thoracic duct ligation, n = 1;

lymphatic leakage site ligation, n = 2). Lymphangiographic findings, technical and clinical successes, and complications were

analyzed. Technical success was defined as the successful embolization of the thoracic duct after access to the lymphatic

duct via the transabdominal route. Clinical success was defined as the resolution of CL or surgical drain removal.

Results: On lymphangiography, ethiodized oil leakage near the surgical bed was identified in 12 of 14 patients (85.7%).

The technical success rate of TDE was 78.6% (11/14). Transabdominal antegrade access was not feasible due to the

inability to visualize the identifiable cisterna chyli or a prominent lumbar lymphatic duct. Among patients who underwent a

technically successful TDE, the clinical success rate was 90.1% (10/11). The median time from the procedure to drain

removal was 3 days (with a range of 1–13 days) for the 13 patients who underwent surgical drainage. No CL recurrence was

observed during the follow-up period (ranging from 2–44 months; median, 8 months). There were no complications, except

for one case of chylothorax that developed after TDE.

Conclusion: TDE appears to be a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment option for CL after thyroid surgery, with

acceptable technical and clinical success rates.

Keywords: Intranodal lymphangiography; Thoracic duct embolization; Chyle leakage; Thyroid surgery; Neck dissection