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Rabattu PY, Sole Cruz E, El Housseini N, El Housseini A, Bellier A, Verot PL, Cassiba J, Quillot C, Faguet R, Chaffanjon P, Piolat C, Robert Y. Anatomical study of the thoracic duct and its clinical implications in thoracic and pediatric surgery, a 70 cases cadaveric study. Surg Radiol Anat 2021; 43:1481-1489. [PMID: 34050781 DOI: 10.1007/s00276-021-02764-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Given the high variability and fragility of the thoracic duct, good knowledge of its anatomy is essential for its repair or to prevent iatrogenic postoperative chylothorax. The objective of this study was to define a site where the thoracic duct is consistently found for its ligation. The second objective was to define an anatomically safe surgical pathway to prevent iatrogenic chylothorax in surgery for aortic arch anomalies with vascular ring, through better knowledge of the anatomical relationships of the thoracic duct. METHODS Seventy adult formalin-fixed cadavers were dissected. The anatomical relationships of the thoracic duct were reported at the postero-inferior mediastinum, at levels T3 and T4. RESULTS The thoracic duct was consistently situated between the left anterolateral border of the azygos vein and the right border of the aorta between levels T9 and T10, whether it was simple, double, or plexiform. It was located medially, anteromedially, or posteriorly to the left subclavian artery in 51%, 21%, and 28% of the cases, respectively, at the level of T3. At T4, it was posteromedial in 27% of the cases or had no direct relationship with the aortic arch. CONCLUSION These results favor mass ligation of the thoracic duct at levels T9-T10 between the right border of the aorta and the azygos vein, eventually including the latter. To prevent iatrogenic postoperative chylothorax in aortic arch anomalies with vascular ring surgery, we recommend remaining strictly lateral to the left subclavian artery at the level of T3 to reach the aortic arch anomalies with vascular ring at T4.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Y Rabattu
- LADAF, Anatomical Laboratory, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble University Hospital, 38000, Grenoble, France
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital, University Hospital of Grenoble, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - E Sole Cruz
- LADAF, Anatomical Laboratory, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble University Hospital, 38000, Grenoble, France
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital, University Hospital of Grenoble, 38000, Grenoble, France
- ID17 Biomedical Beamline, European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - N El Housseini
- LADAF, Anatomical Laboratory, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble University Hospital, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - A El Housseini
- LADAF, Anatomical Laboratory, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble University Hospital, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - A Bellier
- LADAF, Anatomical Laboratory, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble University Hospital, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - P L Verot
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital, University Hospital of Grenoble, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - J Cassiba
- Department of Pediatric Reanimation, Children's Hospital, University Hospital of Grenoble, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - C Quillot
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Nantes University Hospital, 44000, Nantes, France
| | - R Faguet
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital, University Hospital of Grenoble, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - P Chaffanjon
- LADAF, Anatomical Laboratory, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble University Hospital, 38000, Grenoble, France
- GIPSA-Lab, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - C Piolat
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital, University Hospital of Grenoble, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Y Robert
- LADAF, Anatomical Laboratory, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble University Hospital, 38000, Grenoble, France.
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital, University Hospital of Grenoble, 38000, Grenoble, France.
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Ratnayake CBB, Escott ABJ, Phillips ARJ, Windsor JA. The anatomy and physiology of the terminal thoracic duct and ostial valve in health and disease: potential implications for intervention. J Anat 2018; 233:1-14. [PMID: 29635686 DOI: 10.1111/joa.12811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The thoracic duct (TD) transports lymph drained from the body to the venous system in the neck via the lymphovenous junction. There has been increased interest in the TD lymph (including gut lymph) because of its putative role in the promotion of systemic inflammation and organ dysfunction during acute and critical illness. Minimally invasive TD cannulation has recently been described as a potential method to access TD lymph for investigation. However, marked anatomical variability exists in the terminal segment and the physiology regarding the ostial valve and terminal TD is poorly understood. A systematic review was conducted using three databases from 1909 until May 2017. Human and animal studies were included and data from surgical, radiological and cadaveric studies were retrieved. Sixty-three articles from the last 108 years were included in the analysis. The terminal TD exists as a single duct in its terminal course in 72% of cases and 13% have multiple terminations: double (8.5%), triple (1.8%) and quadruple (2.2%). The ostial valve functions to regulate flow in relation to the respiratory cycle. The patency of this valve found at the lymphovenous junction opening, is determined by venous wall tension. During inspiration, central venous pressure (CVP) falls and the valve cusps collapse to allow antegrade flow of lymph into the vein. During early expiration when CVP and venous wall tension rises, the ostial valve leaflets cover the opening of the lymphovenous junction preventing antegrade lymph flow. During chronic disease states associated with an elevated mean CVP (e.g. in heart failure or cirrhosis), there is a limitation of flow across the lymphovenous junction. Although lymph production is increased in both heart failure and cirrhosis, TD lymph outflow across the lymphovenous junction is unable to compensate for this increase. In conclusion the terminal TD shows marked anatomical variability and TD lymph flow is controlled at the ostial valve, which responds to changes in CVP. This information is relevant to techniques for cannulating the TD, with the aid of minimally invasive methods and high resolution ultrasonography, to enable longitudinal physiology and lymph composition studies in awake patients with both acute and chronic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anthony Ronald John Phillips
- Department of Surgery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Applied Surgery and Metabolism Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand
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