Chylous ascites after abdominal aortic aneurysmectomy: successful management with a peritoneovenous shunt

Postoperative chylous ascites is a rare complication of aortic aneurysmectomy. Although increasing numbers of abdominal aortic aneurysms are being resected annually, there have been only eight previously reported cases of chylous ascites after this operation. This article describes the ninth case of postoperative chylous ascites after abdominal aortic aneurysm resection and emphasizes the value of management with peritoneovenous shunting.