Systematic approach to the treatment of chylous leakage after neck dissection

Abstract

Chylous leakage is a controllable complication after neck dissection for which is most cases a stepwise conservative approach consisting of dietary modifications, maintaining closed vacuum suction drainage, seems to be sufficient. Hematologic and serum values should be monitored very carefully and corrected appropriately. To initiate planned postoperative radiotherapy in a timely fashion, the conservative treatment should be limited to about 30 days.