Prophylactic ligation of the opacified thoracic duct in minimally invasive esophagectomy - feasibility and safety.

backgroundChyle leak is a rare but morbid complication of esophagectomy. We assessed the feasibility of visualization and prophylactic ligation of the opacified thoracic duct (TD) after administration of 50 ml of olive oil.

methodsThis prospective single center study considered all patients with carcinoma of the middle and lower thirds of the thoracic esophagus including the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ), managed from January 2018 to December 2019, for inclusion. All patients underwent McKeown minimally invasive esophagectomy. After anesthesia and endotracheal intubation, 50 ml of olive oil was administered through a nasogastric (NG) tube. During thoracoscopic esophageal mobilization, the opacified thoracic duct was identified and ligated using Weck Hem-o-lok clips immediately above the diaphragmatic hiatus. Postoperatively, the nature, volume, and triglyceride levels of the fluid from the chest drain were recorded.

resultsForty-three patients with carcinoma of the esophagus were assessed for inclusion and eventually, 33 were enrolled. The median age of the study population was 55 years, and there were 20 males. The tumor site was the lower esophagus in 24 (72.7%) patients. The most common histolopathological finding was squamous cell carcinoma (97%). The opacified thoracic duct could be identified and ligated in 31 (93.9%) patients. The median duration from the administration of olive oil to the ligation of the thoracic duct was 100 min. The median chest drain output and triglyceride levels on postoperative day (POD) one were 250 ml and 48 mg% respectively. No patient developed postoperative chylothorax.

conclusionOpacification and visualization of the thoracic duct during thoracoscopy can be aided by administering olive oil. Ligation of this opacified duct is feasible and safe.