PLASTIC SURGICAL-TREATMENT OF A CHRONIC THORACIC-DUCT FISTULA USING ASTERNOCLEIDOMASTOID MUSCLE FLAP - A CASE-REPORT

Thoracic duct fistula is a rare but potentially serious complication o f head and neck surgery. Such fistulae may be difficult to treat, and several techniques, both operative and non-operative, have been advoca ted. A case of successful surgical treatment of a chronic thoracic duc t fistula is presented. The fistula occurred in a 51-year-old female f ollowing treatment of a solitary supraclavicular breast metastasis by local excision and radiotherapy. The divided duct was ligated and the area was covered with the clavicular head of the sternocleidomastoid m uscle.