Chylous Ascites after Retroperitoneal Lymphadenectomy: Successful Management with Peritoneovenous Shunt

Abstract

A case of chylous ascites occurring after retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy for testicular carcinoma is described. After failure of conservative therapy, the patient was successfully treated with peritoneovenous shunt. The pathophysiological and therapeutic aspects of this rare complication are described; in the world literature only 7 cases of chylous ascites following retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy are reported.