Risk factors of chylothorax after esophagectomy

Chylothorax is a relatively uncommon but well-known complication after esophagectomy. Despite improvements in operative strategies for esophageal cancer, the incidence of chylothorax is about 1.1% to 21% in patients who receive esophagectomy (1,2). Though this condition is not rare, it is also dire and may lead to the inhibition of lung function, malnutrition, and immunologic compromise. It is, therefore, a potentially dangerous complication. Many studies aiming at therapeutic strategies of postoperative chylothorax have been introduced, but few studies have investigated the risk factors of this condition.