Abstract:
Objective:To discuss the causes and effective measures of prevention and treatment of chylous fistula after central lymph node dissection (CLND) of thyroid cancer.Methods:A total of 6 127 patients who underwent CLND of thyroid cancer in the Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital between July2013and June 2015were analyzed; of which,14patients acquired the complication of postoperative chylous fistula. The following conservative treatments were initially performed: systemic therapy, local pressure bandaging, normal pressure drainage,50% glucose injection, or pingyangmycin injection through a drainage tube. Surgical op-eration was then conducted when the efficacy of the treatment was poor. Results:After the conservative treatment of the14patients, the drainage volume gradually decreased in12patients, and surgery was performed on the remaining two patients. Conclusion: The CLND of thyroid cancer must be carefully conducted to prevent postoperative chylous fistula. An active conservative treatment must be the first option when chylous fistula occurs. Surgery must only be performed if the treatment is invalid.