Runge, TinaTinaRungeBorbély, Yves MichaelYves MichaelBorbélyCandinas, DanielDanielCandinasSeiler, Christian A.Christian A.Seiler2024-10-232024-10-232014https://boris-portal.unibe.ch/handle/20.500.12422/132043BACKGROUND Chylothorax is an extremely rare but potentially life-threatening complication after radical neck dissection. We report the case of a bilateral chylothorax after total thyroidectomy and cervico-central and cervico-lateral lymphadenectomy for thyroid carcinoma. CASE PRESENTATION A 40-year-old European woman underwent total thyroidectomy and neck dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma. Postoperatively she developed dyspnoea and pleural effusion. A chylothorax was found and the initial conservative therapy was not successful. She had to be operated on again and the thoracic duct was legated. CONCLUSION The case presentation reports a very rare complication after total thyroidectomy and neck dissection, but it has to be kept in mind to prevent dangerous complications.enThyroidectomyNeck dissectionBilateral chylothorax600 - Technology::610 - Medicine & healtharticle10.7892/boris.669602488548810.1186/1756-0500-7-311