A 66-year-old man underwent a right upper lobectomy and lymph node dissection for lung cancer. We confirmed a milky white pleural effusion after diet initiation on the first postoperative day, and a chylothorax was diagnosed. The patient began a f at-restricted diet; however, the pleural effusion did not decrease. Therefore, we performed VATS(video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery)1 week after surgery with good results. Early VATS for a postoperative chylothorax was useful.