Chylous Ascites in a Patient with Liver Cirrhosis after Subtotal Gastrectomy / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Chylous ascites is the extravasation of milky chyle into the peritoneal cavity. This condition can occur as a result of the disruption or obstruction of the abdominal lymphatics. Abdominal surgery, malignant neoplasms, and cirrhosis can cause chylous ascites. Here, we report a case of intractable ascites caused by chyle leakage and portal hypertension in a patient with alcoholic liver cirrhosis. The ascites occurred following a subtotal gastrectomy to treat stomach cancer and was not resolved with diuretics. Increasing the diuretic dosage was limited by the aggravation of renal function. The ascites was milky in color and analysis showed transudate caused by portal hypertension. Octreotide and diuretic treatments can resolve mixed ascites. In this article, we present the case and review the literature.