Postoperative chylothorax after left pulmonary wedge resection without mediastinal lymph node dissection: a case report

Postoperative chylothorax is a rare but serious complication after pulmonary resection. In previous studies, we have found no reports of postoperative chylothorax after left pulmonary wedge resection. Considering the many variations in the route of the thoracic duct, it also has the risk of postoperative chylothorax. We describe a case of refractory chylothorax after left pulmonary wedge resection without mediastinal lymph node dissection. Conservative treatment and supradiaphragmatic thoracic duct ligation did not obtain satisfactory results in this patient. Finally, under the guidance of magnetic resonance–thoracic ductography (MRTD), we successfully ligated the thoracic duct fistula. Thus, MRTD may contribute positively to being used to locate the thoracic duct and its fistula to support precise surgical intervention.