食管癌术后乳糜胸是术中损伤胸导管所致，如不及时有效的处理，常导致呼吸循环功能紊乱危及生命。近年来许多作者主张预防性结扎胸导管以预防乳糜胸的发生［１，２］。一旦发生乳糜胸，多数作者认为再次手术结扎胸导管仍是一果断有效的方法［３］。我们在１９８５年１月～１９ Postoperative chylothorax of esophageal cancer is caused by intraoperative damage to the thoracic duct. If it is not timely and effectively treated, it often leads to life-threatening respiratory and circulatory disorders. In recent years many authors advocate prophylactic ligating of thoracic ducts to prevent the occurrence of chylothorax [1,2]. In the event of a chylothorax, most authors believe that re-operative ligation of the thoracic duct is still a decisive and effective method [3]. We were in January 1985 ~ 19