Chylous ascites in colorectal cancer: case report and literature review

Chylous ascites is a rare complication of colorectal surgery, with an incidence of 1-6.5%. It is caused by leakage of chyle, the lymphatic fluid containing fat, into the peritoneal cavity. The most common cause of chylous ascites in colorectal surgery is damage to the mesenteric lymphatic vessels during surgery. We present a case of a 69-year-old woman with a BMI of 32 who underwent right hemicolectomy for adenocarcinoma of the colon. She developed chylous ascites in the postoperative period, which was managed with fasting, octreotide, and total parenteral nutrition. The chylous ascites resolved within 10 days and the patient was discharged from the hospital. Chylous ascites is a rare but serious complication of colorectal surgery. It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of chylous ascites so that it can be diagnosed and treated promptly. Conservative treatment with fasting, octreotide, and total parenteral nutrition is usually successful. Despite the successful outcome in this case, there are still many unanswered questions about chylous ascites. The exact incidence of this complication is still unknown, and there is no clear consensus on the best way to prevent it. Additionally, the role of octreotide in the treatment of chylous ascites is not well-defined. More research is needed to address these questions. Future studies should focus on the following: Identifying risk factors for chylous ascites; determining the exact incidence of chylous ascites; evaluating the efficacy of octreotide in the treatment of chylous ascites. By addressing these questions, we can improve our understanding of chylous ascites and develop better strategies for its prevention and treatment.