Abstract
Objective: We studied lymphatic （chylous） leakage after neck dissection in thyroid cancer and clarified the risk factors in the perioperative period.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 50 patients who underwent lateral neck dissection with thyroidectomy for cervical lymphatic metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer between January 2015 and March 2021 at Sapporo City General Hospital.
Results: Neck dissections were performed on the right side in 18 cases, on the left side in 24 cases, and on both sides of the neck in 8 cases. Drainage duration was significantly longer in the case of neck dissection on the left side than on the right side. Severe PONV cases significantly increased drainage duration in the case of neck dissection on the left side.
Conclusion: The drainage duration was significantly prolonged on the left side, which has a venous angle into which the thoracic duct flows. Therefore, it is considered necessary to reconfirm the surgical method. There was a correlation between PONV and drainage duration, suggesting that measures against PONV may reduce lymphatic leakage.
