• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.20-25
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• 2002

Purpose: Chylous ascites is an accumulation of lymphatic fluid within the peritoneal cavity due to trauma or to an obstruction on the lymphatic system. Postoperative chylous ascites is a rare complication of abdominal surgery. It is frequently reported after retroperitoneal dissections and results in high morbidity and mortality. However, there have been few report of such a complication following a radical gastrectomy. Therefore, we review the clinical analysis and treatment of chylous ascites based on our experience. Materials and Methods: From July 1992 to June 2001, we treated 13 cases of chylous ascites after operations for gastric cancer. We reviewed medical charts of those patients retrospectively. Results: The incidence of chylous ascites after operations for gastric cancer was $0.83\%$ (13/1552). The mean time from ingestion of a meal after the operation to the development of symptoms was 2 days (range: $1\∼6$ days). Conservative treatment by fasting, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), and repeated paracentesis was successful in all patients. The mean time from diagnosis to complete resolution was 25 days (range: $2\∼105$ days). Conclusion: Chylous ascites should be considered in any patient with a typical milky color of drainage who has recently undergone radical gastrectomy. Treatment with fasting, TPN, and repeated paracentesis usually is successful.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.253-263
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• 2023

Purpose: Although chylous ascites is a frequent complication of radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer, proper diagnostic criteria and optimal treatment strategies have not been established. This study aimed to identify the clinical features of chylous ascites and evaluate the treatment outcomes. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients who underwent radical gastrectomy between 2013 and 2019. Diagnosis was made when milky fluid or elevated triglyceride levels (≥100 mg/dL) appeared in the drains without a preceding infection. The clinical features, risk factors, and treatment outcomes were assessed according to the initial treatment modalities for fasting and non-fasting groups. Results: Among the 7,388 patients who underwent radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer, 156 (2.1%) experienced chylous ascites. The median length of hospital stay was longer in patients with chylous ascites than in those without (median [interquartile range]: 8.0 [6.0-12.0] vs. 6.0 [5.0-8.0], P<0.001). Low body mass index (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=0.9; P<0.001), advanced gastric cancer (aOR=1.51, P=0.024), open surgery (reference: laparoscopic surgery; aOR=1.87, P=0.003), and extent of surgical resection (reference: subtotal gastrectomy, total gastrectomy, aOR=1.5, P=0.029; proximal gastrectomy, aOR=2.93, P=0.002) were associated with the occurrence of chylous ascites. The fasting group (n=12) was hospitalized for a longer period than the non-fasting group (n=144) (15.0 [12.5-19.5] vs. 8.0 [6.0-10.0], P<0.001). There was no difference in grade III complication rate (16.7% vs. 4.2%, P=0.117) or readmission rate (16.7% vs. 11.1%, P=0.632) between the groups. Conclusions: A fat-controlled diet and medication without fasting provided adequate initial treatment for chylous ascites after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.130-134
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• 2024

Refractory chylous ascites can cause significant nutritional and immunologic morbidity, but no clear treatment has been established. This article introduces a case of a 22-year-old female patient with an underlying lymphatic anomaly who presented with refractory chylous ascites after laparoscopic adnexectomy for ovarian teratoma which aggravated after thoracic duct embolization. Ascites (>3,000 mL/d) had to be drained via a percutaneous catheter to relieve abdominal distention and consequent dyspnea, leading to significant cachexia and weight loss. Two sessions of hybrid lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA) surgery with intraoperative mesenteric lymphangiography guidance were performed to decompress the lymphatics. The first LVA was done between inferior mesenteric vein and left para-aortic enlarged lymphatics in a side-to-side manner. The daily drainage of chylous ascites significantly decreased to 130 mL/day immediately following surgery but increased 6 days later. An additional LVA was performed between right ovarian vein and enlarged lymphatics in aortocaval area in side-to-side and end-to-side manner. The chylous ascites resolved subsequently without any complications, and the patient was discharged after 2 weeks. The patient regained weight without ascites recurrence after 22 months of follow-up. This case shares a successful experience of treating refractory chylous ascites with lymphatic anomaly through LVA, reversing the patient's life-threatening weight loss. LVA was applied with a multidisciplinary approach using intraoperative mesenteric lipiodol, and results showed the possibility of expanding its use to challenging problems in the intraperitoneal cavity.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.81-84
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• 2022

Esophagectomy and esophageal reconstruction are commonly chosen as surgical options for esophageal cancer. However, prolonged untreated chyle leakage is associated with a poor prognosis. We report the case of a patient with refractory chylous ascites. To limit the ongoing fluid loss, we utilized the chylous ascites as an additional fluid source in a renal replacement therapy system. A continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) drainage system was modified to drain both the chylous ascites and venous blood. The ascites drainage rate was determined empirically and regulated by a dial-flow extension set. The CRRT mode was set to continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration and maintained for 7 days. After the patient was weaned from CRRT, ascites did not reaccumulate, and the patient's general condition improved dramatically. No infections related to the system occurred. This procedure temporarily alleviates symptoms and provides more time for alternative treatment strategies.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.376-383
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• 2021

Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of lymphopseudoaneurysm (LPA) glue (n-butyl cyanoacrylate [NBCA]) embolization in the management of chylous ascites after retroperitoneal surgery. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis from January 2014 to October 2018 was performed in six patients (4 females and 2 males; mean age, 45.3 ± 14.2 years; range, 26-61 years) who underwent LPA embolization for chylous ascites developing after retroperitoneal surgery involving the perirenal space (four donor nephrectomies, one partial nephrectomy, and one retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy). After placing a percutaneous drainage catheter into the LPA or adjacent lymphocele, embolization was performed by filling the LPA itself with a mixture of glue and Lipiodol (Guerbet). Results: Daily drainage from percutaneously placed drains exceeded 300 mL/day despite medical and surgical treatment (volume: mean, 1173 ± 1098 mL; range, 305-2800 mL). Intranodal lymphangiography was performed in four of the six patients and revealed leakage in 2 patients. Percutaneous embolization of the LPA was successful in all patients using an NBCA and Lipiodol mixture in a ratio of 1:1-1:2 (volume: mean, 4.3 ± 1.1 mL; range, 3-6 mL). Chylous ascites was resolved and the drainage catheter was removed in all patients within 4 days after the procedure (mean, 2.0 ± 1.8 days; range, 0-4 days). No procedure-related complications or recurrence of chylous ascites occurred during a mean follow-up period of 37.3 months (range, 21.1-48.4 months). Conclusion: Glue embolization of LPA has the potential to be a feasible and effective treatment method for the management of chylous ascites after retroperitoneal surgery.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.265-269
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• 2017

Chylothorax or chylous ascites are rare manifestations of liver cirrhosis. We report a rare case of simultaneous chylothorax and chylous ascites in a patient with hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis. A 76-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a pleural effusion on her right side. She had no history of recent medical procedures, trauma or tumor. There was no evidence of mass or thoracic duct obstruction in a computed tomography scan. Pleural fluid and ascites were confirmed as chylothorax and chylous ascites by chemistry analysis. Despite thorough conservative care, there was no improvement. Pleurodesis was planned, but hepatic encephalopathy developed suddenly and she did not recover.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.10
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• pp.1106-1110
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• 2006

Chylous ascites is a rare condition caused by various diseases and conditions that interfere with the abdominal or retroperitoneal lymphatics, and uncommonly it can manifest as a post-operative complication after abdominal, retroperitoneal or mediastinal surgery. Chylous ascites can be diagnosed by a high triglyceride content in ascites. The authors experienced a 5-year-old girl with congenital hepatic fibrosis who presented with chylous ascites after a splenorenal shunt operation, who was successfully managed by fasting and total parenteral nutrition, followed by a lipid-free diet with medium chain triglyceride supplementation. Here, the authors report this case of post-operative chylous ascites after a splenorenal shunt (Warren shunt) operation with a review of the pertinent literature.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.196-201
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• 2018

Umbilical venous catheterization (UVC) is a common practice in intensive neonatal care. However, a malpositioned UVC and its prolonged use may lead to various problems, including mechanical, infectious, and thrombotic complications in various organs such as the liver, lungs, and heart. Congenital chylous ascites is characterized by abnormally high levels of triglycerides in the peritoneal fluid of newborns, which originate from refluxed lymph within the abdominal cavity. Herein, we report a case of an UVC complication presenting as chyloperitoneum simulating congenital chylous ascites in a preterm neonate that resulted from total parenteral nutrition (TPN) extravasation from a malpositioned UVC. Biochemical analysis of intraperitoneal chylous fluid and TPN infusate could help confirm the origin of chyloperitoneum. This case suggests that TPN extravasation from UVC should be considered when chyloperitoneum develops in newborns with an indwelling catheter. UVC positions must also be carefully monitored at regular intervals to recognize associated complications early, particularly in cases with an inevitably malpositioned catheter related to the anatomy of the vessel course.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.380-384
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• 2017

Massive chylous leakage is a rare postoperative complication that can prolong hospital stay and cause secondary morbidities. Conservative management strategies are the treatment of choice; however, radiation therapy (RT) can be used as an alternative for cases that are refractory to conservative treatment. Herein, we report a 69-year-old female patient who suffered from massive chylous leakage after subtotal gastrectomy. Due to persistent massive chylous leakage, she was scheduled to undergo low-dose RT. Radiation was delivered with a daily dose of 1 Gy, using an anterior-posterior and posterior-anterior beam arrangement. The clinical target volume encompassed the entire lymph node area of the D2 dissection. RT was completed at the total dose of 8 Gy because the amount of chylous leakage declined rapidly. Percutaneous drainage tube was removed after 3 days of RT. The patient did not complain of any symptoms related to massive chylous leakage 2 years after the completion of RT.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.12
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• pp.1029-1031
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• 2004

We had expierienced pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis(LAM) with bilateral chylothorax and chylous ascites. A twenty-one-year-old lass with chief complaint of abdominal pain was admitted through the emergency room. She received emergent pelvicoscopic surgery for the rupture of the right corpus luteum. We aspirated 1000ml of the uncoagulated blood. The bleeding point was cautherized electrically. LAM was diagnosed with tissue from the retroperitoneum. Chylous ascites and bilateral chylothorax were occurred despite of various treatments. On thoracotomy, bullous changed lung and lymphatic leakage from visceral and parietal pleura were observed. She died of respiratory insufficiency and general weakness after 6 months from admission.