scholarly journals Visualisation of the thoracic duct after popliteal lymph node injection in the pig: comparison of radiographic and thoracoscopic techniques

2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (No. 6) ◽  
pp. 276-282
Author(s):  
D. Vnuk ◽  
A. Gudan Kurilj ◽  
D. Maticic ◽  
G. Dupre

Radiographic contrast studies have been recommended to identify the thoracic duct (TD) and its branches before and after surgery for total occlusion. The macroscopic identification of the TD and its branches during surgery usually involves injection of methylene blue (MB). Radiographic contrast and methylene blue can be injected into different anatomical structures (lymph node, lymph vessel, s.c.). The purpose of this study was to compare two different techniques (radiographic and thoracoscopic) for visualisation of the TD after intrapopliteal lymph node injection in the pig. Six piglets from the same litter (two males and four females), two months of age were used. Iohexol at 245 mg/ml was injected into the left popliteal lymph node (LN) under general anaesthesia; hindlimb, abdominal, and thoracic radiographs were taken. A 0.25% methylene blue solution was injected into the right popliteal lymph node and the thoracic duct colouration was assessed thoracoscopically. The thoracic duct was visualised radiographically in one out of six pigs after iohexol injection and thoracoscopically in five out of six pigs after methylene blue injection. The difference was statistically significant (P = 0.040). Popliteal LN lymphangiography using iohexol at 245 mg/ml in piglets should not be the recommended method for TD visualisation. Intrapopliteal injection of a 0.25% solution of methylene blue is recommended as a method of TD visualisation prior to thoracic duct ligation.  

Author(s):  
Somi Ryu ◽  
Byeong Min Lee ◽  
Seongjun Won ◽  
Jung Je Park

Chyle leakage from the neck, which usually occurs after iatrogenic injury of the thoracic or lymphatic duct, is an uncommon complication of head and neck surgeries, which include neck dissection or thyroidectomy. A small amount of chyle leakage can be treated with conservative approaches, such as nutritional limitation, somatostatin analogues, and wound compression. However, massive or uncontrolled chyle leakage requires surgical exploration of the wound and thoracic duct ligation via the chest or transabdominal thoracic duct embolization can be applied. Here, we report a case of intractable massive chyle leakage in a 78-year-old male after a left neck level V lymph node biopsy, which was not controlled after conservative management and explorative surgery. Various treatment approaches were attempted and successful management of chyle leakage was ultimately achieved by thoracic duct embolization.


2021 ◽  
pp. 021849232199708
Author(s):  
Nandkishore Kapadia ◽  
Saumya Sekhar Jenasamant ◽  
Ganesh Sohan Singh Rawat ◽  
Shailesh Kamkhedkar ◽  
Pratik Shah ◽  
...  

Background Chylothorax is a rare form of pleural effusion that can be associated with both traumatic and non-traumatic causes. Very few patients respond to conservative line of therapy. Thoracic duct ligation is often the treatment of choice in post-surgical patients; however, the optimal treatment of this disease process after traumatic injury remains unclear. Case presentation: We present the case of a 46-year-old woman with thoracic duct injury secondary to decortication for post-pneumonic empyema. Conservative therapy and pleurodesis done twice failed. She developed severe cachexia losing 15 kg in 30 days. She was referred to our center for ligation of thoracic duct. Preoperative lymphangiography located the duct injury in upper part of mediastinum. Computerized tomography scan of chest showed collapse of left lower lobe and thickened left pleura, indicating a significant pericardial effusion. She underwent decortication of left lung, pericardial window, and native pericardial patch repair of thoracic duct. Results and Conclusions: In this unusual and complex case, successful resolution of the chyle leak was achieved with new surgical technique of patch repair. The patient recovered well and was now on a normal diet. She has put on 12 kg in four months. We have avoided late complications of thoracic duct ligation by this technique. This nouvelle technique may be recommended as it is simple and effective. Ligation of thoracic duct carries late complications. Isolating right lung by double lumen tube may cause severe hypoxia as left-sided lung is not expanded as in this case.


2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clara Santos ◽  
Laura Santos ◽  
Leticia Datrino ◽  
Guilherme Tavares ◽  
Luca Tristão ◽  
...  

Abstract   During esophagectomy for cancer, there is no consensus if prophylactic thoracic duct ligation (TDL), with or without thoracic duct resection (TDR), could influence the perioperative outcomes and long-term survival. This systematic review and meta-analysis compared patients who went through esophagectomy associated or not to ligation or resection of the thoracic duct. Methods A systematic review was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library Central and Lilacs (BVS). The inclusion criteria were: (1) studies that compare thoracic duct ligation, with or without resection, and non-thoracic duct ligation; (2) involve adult patients with esophageal cancer; (3) articles that analyses the outcomes—perioperative complications, perioperative mortality, chylothorax development and overall survival; (4) only clinical trials and cohort were accepted. A 95% confidence interval (CI) was used, and random-effects model was performed. Results Fifteen articles were selected, comprising 6,249 patients. TDL did not reduce the risk for chylothorax (Risk difference [RD]: -0.01; 95%CI: −0.02, 0.00). Also, TDL did not influence the risk for complications (RD: -0.02; 95%CI: −0.11, 0.07); mortality (RD: 0.00; 95%CI: −0.00, 0.00); and reoperation rate (RD: -0.01; 95%CI: −0.02, 0.00). TDR was associated with higher risk for postoperative complications (RD: 0.1; 95%CI 0.00, 0.19); chylothorax (RD: 0.02; 95%CI 0.00, 0.03). Both TDL and TDR did not influence the overall survival rate (TDL: HR: 1.17; 95%CI: 0.86, 1.48; and TDR: HR: 1.16; 95%CI: 0.8, 1.51). Conclusion Thoracic duct obliteration with or without its resection during esophagectomy does not change long term survival. Nonetheless, TDR increased the risk for postoperative complications and chylothorax.


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