Factors predisposing to chyle leakage following thyroid cancer surgery without lateral neck dissection

The aims of this study were to assess the clinicopathologic features of patients with chyle leakage following thyroid cancer surgery without lateral neck dissection and to evaluate the factors associated with chyle leakage.

Of 3137 patients who underwent thyroid surgery between January 2006 and December 2007, 2314 patients (73.8%) satisfied our inclusion criteria. Patients were divided into those with (group I, n = 14) and without (group II, n = 2300) chyle leakage.

There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in clinicopathologic features including age, body mass index, extent of thyroidectomy, pathologic type, tumor size, multiplicity, capsular invasion, and coexisting thyroiditis. In univariate and multivariate analyses, male sex, age >45 years, and number of harvested central nodes were significantly associated with chyle leakage.

If extensive central compartment node dissection is needed, meticulous dissection is required, especially in male patients, and aged >45 years, even without lateral neck dissection.