Surgery technique: preventive ligation of the thoracic duct during esophagectomy for cancer

Chylothorax is a rare but life-threatening complication of esophagectomy for cancer. Elective ligation of the thoracic duct above the diaphragm does not suppress completely the risk of chylothorax due to possible trauma of the thoracic duct wall at the level of ligation, or incomplete ligation in case of anatomic variation. This study describes a technique of preventive ligation "en block" with surrounding tissues in order to minimize the risk of chylothorax following oesophagectomy, whatever performed transthoracically or through transhiatal approach.