Background: The incidence and optimal management of postoperative chylous leak of neuroblastoma is inadequately documented. We analyzed the risk factors, management, and the implication of chyle leak following surgery for abdominal neuroblastoma.
Methods: One hundred sixty patients who underwent surgery for abdominal neuroblastoma between September 2004 to August 2014 were evaluated. To find the oncological implication we evaluated the delay in starting further treatment, local control, event free and overall survival.
Results: Chyle leak was the most common complication (20%). The median measure of leakage was 100 ml/day and it persisted for a median of 12 days. All patients were managed conservatively except one who needed exploration for wound dehiscence. Number of lymph nodes resected was the only factor associated with the risk of chyle leaks (p=0.013). Adjuvant chemotherapy was not delayed in any patient because of chyle leaks per se and the local control, event free and overall survival was not different for patients with and without chyle leak.
Conclusion: Chylous leakage is a common postoperative complication of abdominal neuroblastoma, predisposed by the number of lymph nodes resected. It responds to conservative management and does not compromise the further oncological treatment and outcome hence; it should not be a deterrent to complete surgery.