Chylous ascites following a right robotic assissted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy

Chylous ascites (CA) is a known complication of retroperitoneal surgery. We are reporting the case of a 65-year-old male who underwent a robotic assisted laparoscopic (RAL) partial nephrectomy for a renal mass and subsequently developed CA. He was successfully treated with a low-fat diet and maintenance of a surgical drain. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of CA following right RAL partial nephrectomy. Current literature shows a significantly greater incidence of CA after left sided kidney surgery and with concurrent lymph node dissection. The majority of patients with this complication can be successfully managed without reoperation.