Intraoperative chyle leak repair during right-sided anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

Iatrogenic chyle leak (CL) following lymphatic vessel damage is an uncommon but serious complication of neck dissections. In the setting of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), left-sided CL are an exceedingly rare complication, with an incidence of only 0.02 %. Only three cases of right-sided CL during an ACDF have been reported. The case presented is the first right-sided CL to be successfully identified intraoperatively and treated. Intraoperative and postoperative management are discussed. This case will hopefully bring clinical and surgical awareness to providers caring for patients undergoing an ACDF.