Intermediate
Technical
IVT
chyle leak
Pronunciation: KYLE leak
Post-operative complication involving leakage of lymphatic fluid, typically following neck dissection.
Full Definition
A chyle leak is a post-operative complication characterized by the extravasation of chyle, a milky lymphatic fluid rich in triglycerides, from damaged thoracic duct tributaries. This complication most commonly occurs after neck dissections, particularly on the left side where the thoracic duct terminates. Chyle leaks can lead to significant morbidity including nutritional depletion, immunodeficiency, and prolonged hospitalization. Management ranges from conservative measures to surgical intervention depending on output volume.
Usage
Usage note: Output volume typically measured in mL/day for management decisions.
In Context
- "The patient developed a high-output chyle leak requiring dietary modification and octreotide therapy." — Post-operative note
- "Daily chyle leak output was measured and recorded on the surgical floor flow sheet." — Nursing documentation
Also known as
chylous fistula
lymphatic leak
Don't confuse with
seroma
lymphocele