Management of the Thoracic Duct Injury during Hiatal Hernia Repair

Toghrul Talishinskiy, MD, FACS, FASMBS

Product Details
Product ID: ACS-6045
Year Produced: 2020
Length: 9 min.


This is a case of laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair and Toupet fundoplication with intraoperative injury of the thoracic duct and its successful management. Patient is a 52 years old male with long standing history of reflux refractory to aggressive medical therapy. Patient underwent upper endoscopy, UGI , manometry and 48 hr bravo ph study. He deemed to be an excellent candidate for laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair with magnetic sphincter augmentation. During the surgery dissection a dilated white structure likely resembling thoracic duct was encountered. Upon further inspection there was an active leak. The duct was ligated proximally and distally. Linx device was not placed and instead we performed posterior wrap in order to aid with the reflux symptoms and insert pressure over the leak site. Drain was placed in the hiatus and hiatus was closed . Fibrin glue was applied over and fundoplication was performed in usual fashion. Patient was discharged home POD 1 on clears with very close outpatient follow-up. Patient had high milky output from the drain. Patient was referred to the interventional radiology. Patient underwent lymphoscintigraphy showing leak at the level of diaphragm and 2 thoracic ducts draining to both subclavian vessels. Patient underwent coil embolization of the thoracic ducts as well fibrin glue up to level of the cisterna chyli. Post procedure patient did well with rapid decrease in the drain output. Post embolization imaging showed complete resolution of the fluid collections. Patient is doing well, remains of PPIs with complete resolution of his reflux symptoms.