[Chylous ascites, a rare complication of aortic surgery]

Less than 1% of all complications following vascular surgery of the abdominal aorta involve the lymphatic system. We report on a case of Chylous ascites following the operation of a ruptured infrarenal aortic aneurysm. The primary therapy, administered over a period of five weeks, consistent of diuretics and substitution by human albumin. However, the chylous flow did not decrease. A surgical intervention by a retroperitoneal ligation to try to stop the lymph flow also failed. Finally a total parental nutrition was followed by decrease and arrest of the lymph flow. Conservative treatment of this complication is considered as therapy of choice.