Published online May 21, 2015. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i19.6077
Peer-review started: November 30, 2014
First decision: December 26, 2014
Revised: January 26, 2015
Accepted: February 13, 2015
Article in press: February 13, 2015
Published online: May 21, 2015
Processing time: 172 Days and 17.8 Hours
Chylous ascites is the accumulation of a milk-like peritoneal fluid rich in triglycerides and it is an unusual complication following surgical treatment of colorectal cancer. Conservative management is usually sufficient in patients with chylous ascites after surgery. However, we describe a patient with intractable chylous ascites after laparoscopic anterior resection for sigmoid colon cancer who failed initial conservative treatment. This patient was successfully managed by surgery.
Core tip: Chylous ascites is unusual following surgical treatment of colorectal cancer. Postoperative chylous ascites is always difficult to manage, due to the consequences of the primary surgery and the constant loss of lymph. Although conservative management is usually sufficient in patients with chylous ascites after surgery, we describe a patient who experienced intractable chylous ascites after laparoscopic anterior resection for sigmoid colon cancer. This patient was successfully managed by surgery.