Treatment of chyloperitoneum after extended lymphatic dissection during duodenopancreatectomy.

Background: Chyloperitoneum is a rare postoperative complication that might be caused by an interruption of chylous ducts in the mesenteric root or the cysterna chyli. Two cases of chyloperitoneum after duodenopancreatectomy are reported in the literature.

Methods: We here report the third case that developed a chyloperitoneum 2 wk postoperatively when he resumed his normal diet.

Results: The patient was treated conservatively with paracenteses and chyloperitoneum subsided thereafter.

Conclusions: Chyloperitoneum after extended duodenopancreatectomy might be treated conservatively.