Clinical study on chylous acites following hepato-pancreatic surgery

Postoperative chylous ascites is believed to be a rare complication that may result in serious nutritional and immunological complications due to loss of proteins and lymphocytes. From April 2001 to March 2004, we analyzed cases of chylous ascites following hepato-pancreatic surgery. The complication rate in chylous ascites was 3.4% (7 of 204 cases), then it was not thought to be a rare complication. Regression analysis showd a significant association between the number of days in the presence of chylous ascites and serum albumin, suggesting that chylous ascites must be reduced to improve nutritional condition. Octreotide was effective in the treatment of chylous ascites and a positive outcome was observed within 3 days in all 6 cases of octreotide therapy. For improvement of nutritional condition, early aggressive octreotide use is vital to positive prognosis.