Chylous ascites after oncological abdominal surgery: incidence and treatment

Aims: Chylous ascites can be a problem after oncological abdominal surgery. The aim of this study was to report the incidence and the management of the problem. Methods: A retrospective study over a 2-year period of all oncological patients undergoing abdominal surgical procedures was carried out. Patients with resections in the upper abdomen and retroperitoneum were studied in more detail. Results: Twelve (7.4%) of 163 patients with complex surgical procedures developed a chyloperitoneum. Chylous ascites stopped in time with conservative management in nine patients. Three patients had a peritoneovenous shunt inserted with success. No relaparotomies to ligate leaking intestinal lymph vessels were necessary. (C) 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.