The role of lymphatic interventional radiology for postoperative lymphorrhea

Abstract

Lymphorrhea after gastrointestinal surgery may be treated conservatively or surgically, and treatment by lymphatic interventional radiology has also recently come into use. From pedal lymphangiography, intranodal lymphangiography was widely adopted, enabling the site of lymphorrhea to be identified and its approach to be planned, and embolization for lymphorrhea is now becoming feasible in an increasing number of patients. Even for patients in whom embolization is infeasible, identifying the site of leakage and providing the surgeon with this information is useful. Although this technique is still under development, interventional radiologists are now able to play a role in the treatment of lymphorrhea. Herein, we discuss lymphatic interventional radiology for lymphorrhea following gastrointestinal surgery.

Keywords

• chylothorax; lymphocele; lymphography; thoracic duct