[Chylous ascites following radical nephrectomy and retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy].

Chylous ascites consists of the accumulation of chyle in the abdominal cavity. Postoperative presentation develops as a consequence of unrecognized injury of cisterna chyli or one of its major lumbar tributaries. It usually present as abdominal distention and pain or drainage of milky fluid from surgical wound or abdominal drain. Diagnosis is established by cytochemical analysis of fluid and staining with Sudan III, that shows fat globules, leukocytes with lymphocytic predominance and a high triglyceride content. We present a case of postoperative chylous ascites following radical nephrectomy and retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy for renal cancer, which successfully respond to conservative measures: total parenteral nutrition and octreotide.