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Updated: Jun 17, 2026
08:47
Endoscopic Cholesteatoma Surgery
Published on: January 19, 2022
[Postsurgical chylous ascites: case report and literature review]
J Olivar Roldán1, A Fernández Martínez, E Martínez Sancho
1Hospital Infanta Sofía, San Sebastián de los Reyes, Madrid, España. juaniolivar@yahoo.es
Nutricion Hospitalaria
|January 6, 2010
Summary
Chylous ascites, characterized by lymphatic fluid in the abdomen, often stems from neoplasms or surgery. Treatment involves dietary changes, with parenteral nutrition or surgery reserved for refractory cases.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Surgery
Background:
- Chylous ascites involves the accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the peritoneal cavity, resulting from lymphatic vessel damage or blockage.
- Neoplasms are the leading cause, but iatrogenic factors like abdominal surgery also contribute.
- Diagnosis relies on identifying high triglyceride levels in ascitic fluid, with abdominal distention as a key symptom.
Observation:
- This case highlights chylous ascites occurring secondary to retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy.
- The patient presented with symptoms indicative of lymphatic fluid accumulation.
Findings:
- The study details the diagnostic process and therapeutic interventions for chylous ascites.
- Conservative management, including dietary modifications with fat restriction and medium-chain triglycerides, is the primary approach.
Implications:
- Effective management of chylous ascites is crucial for preventing malnutrition and complications.
- Understanding the diverse etiologies, including surgical complications, is vital for timely diagnosis and treatment.
- This case underscores the importance of considering iatrogenic causes in the differential diagnosis of chylous ascites.
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