Bilateral chylothorax following neck dissection: A new method of treatment

Chylothorax is a serious condition with a high rate of morbidity that may l ead to death. Although it is encountered more frequently with certain thora cic procedures, it is considered to be a rare complication of neck dissecti on. Different forms of management have been postulated; however, no consens us of treatment has been achieved. A case of severe bilateral chylothorax t hat developed after bilateral neck dissection in a patient with laryngeal c arcinoma is presented. Somatostatin injection was successful after total pa renteral nutrition failed to control the chylothorax. On the basis of this case and the review of the literature discussed here, we advocate the use o f somatostatin with other conservative measures in the management of chylot horax.