Oesophageal cancer with an aberrant right subclavian artery accompanied by a thoracic duct anomaly

Recognizing the pathway of thoracic duct during oesophagectomy is important to prevent from postoperative chylothorax. In this study, we describe 4 cases with anormalies of the thoracic duct found during oesophagectomy for oesopahageal cancer. Each of the 4 cases showed different patterns of anomaly of the thoracic duct, and all the 4 cases were associated with an aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA). Therefore, careful inspection of the thoracic ducts is strongly recommended during oesophagectomy especially if an ARSA has been identified.