Abstract: Objective ： To review the experience with iatrogenic chylothorax after pulmonary resections for lung cancer and evaluate our treatment strategy. Methods ： From July 1997 through December 2003, a total of 1546 patients underwent pulmonary resection (at least lobectomy) and systematic medi-astinal lymph node dissection for lung cancer in our division. 16 patients had postoperative chylothorax complication. All of these patients conservatively with complete oral intake cessation and total parenteral nutrition were treated in this study. Results ： All patients had the condition cured with conservative treatment. These patients showed a normal diet at a median of 9.8 days after chylothorax diagnosis (range 6-21days). conclusion : If the right treatment strategy was chosen, most cases of chylothorax after pulmonary resection with systematic mediastinal lymph node dissection can be cured with a conser-vative strategy.