Chylous ascites: A rare complication following aortic surgery

Abstract

Chylous ascites, which was first described at the beginning of the 18th century, is a rarely seen clinical disorder. In a review made in 1986 by Sarazin and Saunter, ~ only 37 cases of postoperative chylous ascites were found. Operations most frequently involved with this rare complication include pancreatoduodenectomy, vagotomy, retroperitoneal lymph node section, splenorenal shunting and radical nephrectomy. Until 1990, only 12 cases of chylous ascites had been described as a complication of abdominal aortic surgery and, although not quite the same disorder, nine cases of retroperitoneal lymphocele had also been recorded. Many therapeutic approaches are available, the most commonly used being parenteral nutrition.