[Lymphatic system--topographic and functional considerations contributing to complications in neck surgery].

: During neck surgery some complications can involve the lymphatic system as well. The injury of the thoracic duct is the most important. A case of chylorrhoea after left radical neck dissection, which had been done by reason of metastases of larynx carcinoma, is reported. Chylorrhoea had yielded after underpin and ligation of the thoracic duct. Four weeks after radical neck dissection extensive tumor in postoperative scar had been found, and two weeks later numerous tumors in scar, on the neck, chin, face and chest had appeared. Patient had died ten weeks after neck dissection among the symptoms of cancerous cachexia.