[Postoperative chylous ascites: its etiology and treatment]

Postoperative chylous ascites is a rare clinical condition that occurs as a consequence of disruption of the abdominal lymphatics after retroperitoneal dissection. Generally the management is conservative based on a low fat diet and total parenteral hyperalimentation. However, such therapy requires weeks to months before resolution of the ascites. On the other hand, surgical approach is associated with a high failure rate to ligate leaky lymphatics. The Authors, therefore suggest a surgical resolution of the ascite with the use of fibrin glue to occlude rapidly and permanently the lymphatics ruptured.