Successful radiation treatment of chylous ascites following pancreaticoduodenectomy

[Postoperative chyle leakage after abdominal surgery-Diagnostic and therapeutic strategies]

A postoperative chyle leakage (CL) is caused by intraoperative damage to the main lymphatic vessels or their tributaries. It is characterized by the secretion of a triglyceride-rich fluid, which classically has a characteristic milky appearance in a percutaneous drain. In visceral surgery CLs mostly occur after pancreatic and esophageal surgery but rarely occur after colorectal, liver or gastric surgery. Treatment often consists of a diet rich in medium chain triglycerides (MCT) to reduce the lymphatic flow, while ensuring a sufficient nutrient supply. If the CL does not cease, total parenteral nutrition is usually carried out. A reoperation, lymphography sometimes with percutaneous intervention or short-term irradiation for CL are rarely necessary. A CL frequently results in a prolonged hospital stay and can be accompanied by other complications but is rarely associated with a poorer prognosis.

Chylous Ascites Related to Radiotherapy in a Patient With Gastric Cancer

Chylous ascites is an uncommon complication seen in patients who have received radiotherapy to the abdomen. However, the morbidity caused by peritoneal ascites makes this an important complication to be considered when giving abdominal radiation to oncology patients. We present the case of a 58-year-old woman with gastric adenocarcinoma, who consulted for recurrent ascites after receiving abdominal radiotherapy as an adjuvant treatment to surgery. Different tests were carried out to evaluate the cause. Malignant abdominal relapse and infection were ruled out. Paracentesis evidenced swallowed fluid, therefore, the possibility of chylous ascites due to radiotherapy was considered. Intrathoracic, abdominal, and pelvic lymphangiography was performed with Lipiodol and the absence of cisterna chyli was confirmed as the cause of refractory ascites. After the diagnosis, the patient went under aggressive in-hospital nutritional support treatment, with clinico-radiological response.

Incidence and risk factors for Chyle leak after pancreatic surgery for cancer: A comprehensive systematic review

BACKGROUND

Chyle leak (CL) is a clinically relevant complication after pancreatectomy. Its incidence and the associated risk factors are ill defined, and various treatments options have been described. There is no consensus, however, regarding optimal management. The present study aims to systematically review the literature on CL after pancreatectomy.

METHODS

A systematic review from PubMed, Scopus and Embase database was performed. Studies using a clear definition for CL and published from January 2000 to January 2021 were included. The PRISMA guidelines were followed during all stages of this systematic review. The MINORS score was used to assess methodological quality.

RESULTS

Literature search found 361 reports, 99 of which were duplicates. The titles and abstracts of 262 articles were finally screened. The references from the remaining 181 articles were manually assessed. After the exclusions, 43 articles were thoroughly assessed. A total of 23 articles were ultimately included for this review. The number of patients varied from 54 to 3532. Incidence of post pancreatectomy CL varied from 1.3% to 22.1%. Main risk factors were the extent of the surgery and early oral or enteral feeding. CL dried up spontaneously or after conservative management within 14 days in 53% to 100% of the cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The extent of surgery is the most common predictor of risk of CL. Conservative treatment has been shown to be effective in most cases and can be considered the treatment of choice. We propose a management algorithm based on the current available evidence.

Chyle leakage after robotic and open pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND

Chyle leakage is a well-known but poorly characterized complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). No study examined the chyle leakage after robotic PD (RPD).

METHODS

Data regarding chyle leakage were prospectively collected and analyzed from patients undergoing RPD or open PD (OPD).

RESULTS

The study included 118 RPD and 165 OPD. Overall chyle leakage rate was 12.0%, with 13.6% for RPD and 10.9% for OPD. Chyle leakage was eventually resolved in all patients through conservative treatment. The drainage volumes were significantly higher in chyle leakage group from postoperative days (PODs) 1-7, with a median of 240 mL on POD 1 and POD 7, as compared to 160 mL on POD 1 and 70 mL on POD 7 for those without chyle leakage. The number of lymph nodes involved and resected and pancreatic head adenocarcinoma affected the risk of developing chyle leakage, whereas the surgical approach used (RPD or OPD) did not.

CONCLUSIONS

Chyle leakage after PD is not rare, and it can eventually be resolved through conservative treatment. The extent and radicality of the surgery probably have a significant effect on the risk of developing chyle leakage, but the surgical approach used does not.

Successful treatment of refractory chylous ascites due to follicular lymphoma with very low-dose radiotherapy

Chylous ascites is an extremely rare complication of lymphoma. Here, we discuss the case of a patient presenting with refractory chylous ascites due to a massive retroperitoneal follicular lymphoma, staged as IVB. The patient was unresponsive to chemoimmunotherapy, which prompted us to consider alternative treatment strategies. Low-dose radiotherapy was initiated and resulted in a marked decrease of the lymphadenopathy and complete regression of the peritoneal fluid. Low-dose radiotherapy represents a well-tolerated, highly effective treatment and should remain an important modality in cases of follicular lymphoma-associated chylous ascites.

Low-dose radiation therapy for massive chylous leakage after subtotal gastrectomy

Massive chylous leakage is a rare postoperative complication that can prolong hospital stay and cause secondary morbidities. Conservative management strategies are the treatment of choice; however, radiation therapy (RT) can be used as an alternative for cases that are refractory to conservative treatment. Herein, we report a 69-year-old female patient who suffered from massive chylous leakage after subtotal gastrectomy. Due to persistent massive chylous leakage, she was scheduled to undergo low-dose RT. Radiation was delivered with a daily dose of 1 Gy, using an anterior-posterior and posterior-anterior beam arrangement. The clinical target volume encompassed the entire lymph node area of the D2 dissection. RT was completed at the total dose of 8 Gy because the amount of chylous leakage declined rapidly. Percutaneous drainage tube was removed after 3 days of RT. The patient did not complain of any symptoms related to massive chylous leakage 2 years after the completion of RT.

Definition and classification of chyle leak after pancreatic operation: A consensus statement by the International Study Group on Pancreatic Surgery

BACKGROUND

Recent literature suggests that chyle leak may complicate up to 10% of pancreatic resections. Treatment depends on its severity, which may include chylous ascites. No international consensus definition or grading system of chyle leak currently is available.

METHODS

The International Study Group on Pancreatic Surgery, an international panel of pancreatic surgeons working in well-known, high-volume centers, reviewed the literature and worked together to establish a consensus on the definition and classification of chyle leak after pancreatic operation.

RESULTS

Chyle leak was defined as output of milky-colored fluid from a drain, drain site, or wound on or after postoperative day 3, with a triglyceride content ≥110 mg/dL (≥1.2 mmol/L). Three different grades of severity were defined according to the management needed: grade A, no specific intervention other than oral dietary restrictions; grade B, prolongation of hospital stay, nasoenteral nutrition with dietary restriction, total parenteral nutrition, octreotide, maintenance of surgical drains, or placement of new percutaneous drains; and grade C, need for other more invasive in-hospital treatment, intensive care unit admission, or mortality.

CONCLUSION

This classification and grading system for chyle leak after pancreatic resection allows for comparison of outcomes between series. As with the other the International Study Group on Pancreatic Surgery consensus statements, this classification should facilitate communication and evaluation of different approaches to the prevention and treatment of this complication.