Chylorrhea following laparoscopy assisted distal gastrectomy with D1+ dissection for early gastric cancer: A case report

Multidisciplinary Treatment for Lymphorrhea and Chylorrhea Following Lymph Node Dissection for Genitourinary Cancer

BACKGROUND

Lymph node dissection (LND) is often performed in genitourinary cancer to improve accurate staging. However, the resultant lymphatic damage often leads to postoperative lymphorrhea and chylorrhea. Further, since lymphatic fluid lacks platelets, it has very few clotting factors, and it is often difficult to treat postoperative lymphatic leakage. Treatments for lymphorrhea include conservative treatment (e.g., fasting, total parenteral nutrition, and drug therapy), interventional radiology (IR) and surgical treatment. However, there is no guideline of refractory lymphorrhea, and no clear criteria for switching to the next treatment.

METHODS

We reviewed the records of 28 patients at Toho University Sakura Medical Center with postoperative lymphorrhea or chylorrhea after LND that did not improve with conservative treatment. Based on this analysis, we partially revised the treatment algorithm for lymphorrhea developed by Rose et al. Results: The cases consisted of 26 men and two women, aged 65.0 ± 9.9 years. The mean number of lymph nodes removed was 25.3 ± 15.0. Octreotide was administered in 27 patients, lymphangiography was performed in three patients, and lymphatic embolization was performed in two patients. The mean duration of octreotide administration was 9.7 ± 6.1 days, and the mean dose was 211.1 µg/day. The treatment success rates with octreotide and IR were 78.6% and 100%, respectively. The mean duration of drain placement after surgery for primary cancer was 18.3 ± 14.3 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with lymphorrhea and chylorrhea should be initially treated conservatively, with IR performed if conservative treatment is unsuccessful. Surgical treatment should be a last resort.

Chylous Ascites After Gastric Cancer Surgery: Risk Factors and Treatment Results

PURPOSE

Although chylous ascites is a frequent complication of radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer, proper diagnostic criteria and optimal treatment strategies have not been established. This study aimed to identify the clinical features of chylous ascites and evaluate the treatment outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients who underwent radical gastrectomy between 2013 and 2019. Diagnosis was made when milky fluid or elevated triglyceride levels (≥100 mg/dL) appeared in the drains without a preceding infection. The clinical features, risk factors, and treatment outcomes were assessed according to the initial treatment modalities for fasting and non-fasting groups.

RESULTS

Among the 7,388 patients who underwent radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer, 156 (2.1%) experienced chylous ascites. The median length of hospital stay was longer in patients with chylous ascites than in those without (median [interquartile range]: 8.0 [6.0-12.0] vs. 6.0 [5.0-8.0], P<0.001). Low body mass index (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=0.9; P<0.001), advanced gastric cancer (aOR=1.51, P=0.024), open surgery (reference: laparoscopic surgery; aOR=1.87, P=0.003), and extent of surgical resection (reference: subtotal gastrectomy, total gastrectomy, aOR=1.5, P=0.029; proximal gastrectomy, aOR=2.93, P=0.002) were associated with the occurrence of chylous ascites. The fasting group (n=12) was hospitalized for a longer period than the non-fasting group (n=144) (15.0 [12.5-19.5] vs. 8.0 [6.0-10.0], P<0.001). There was no difference in grade III complication rate (16.7% vs. 4.2%, P=0.117) or readmission rate (16.7% vs. 11.1%, P=0.632) between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

A fat-controlled diet and medication without fasting provided adequate initial treatment for chylous ascites after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Ligation and Fibrin Glue Spraying for Intractable Chylous Ascites after Radical Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer: Case Report and Literature Review

Chylous ascites associated with radical resection of gastric cancer is a serious clinical condition. Lymph node dissection is indispensable during gastrectomy for gastric cancer. However, postoperative chylous ascites prolongs the hospital stay and re-operation. There are few reports on this subject. Most cases of chylous ascites resolve without treatment, but the condition can result in substantial morbidity. The definition of chylous ascites is ambiguous and varies in the English literature. In this report, we discuss a case of chylous ascites in a 68-year-old man who underwent distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer at our hospital. He was admitted 8 months after surgery with a main complaint of abdominal swelling. Abdominal puncture helped to diagnose chylous ascites with marked elevation of triglyceride level. The patient received a hypercaloric infusion through a central line, and octreotide acetate, but did not improve. After assessment of lymph outflow by lymph scintigraphy, surgical ligation of the lymph vessels was performed through laparotomy. The volume of milky-white ascites in the abdominal cavity was 3,000 mL. Macroscopically, the fluid was confirmed as flowing from behind the common hepatic artery. Thus, ligation was performed. Chylous ascites has not recurred at 12 months after the re-operation. In summary, a case of chylous ascites after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer was successfully treated by surgery. We review and discuss the relevant literature.

First successful case of percutaneous transabdominal thoracic duct embolization (PTTDE) for chylous ascites resulting from laparoscopic gastric cancer surgery

A 61-year-old woman underwent laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) with extragastric lymph node dissection (D2). Two months later, she was readmitted to hospital to be treated for chylous ascites. Oral intake was discontinued and total parenteral nutrition started, but increasing body weight and decreasing serum albumin concentration was not controllable. Percutaneous transabdominal thoracic duct embolization (PTTDE) was performed on the 8th day after the readmission. Five days after PTTDE, oral intake was resumed. Seventeen days after PTTDE, the patient was discharged without recurrence of ascites. She has remained asymptomatic. We describe here the first patient with chylous ascites two months after LADG with D2 dissection for early gastric cancer who was successfully treated by PTTDE.

Postoperative Lymphorrhagia- a Possible Complication Following Cephalic Duodenopancreatectomy

Surgery associated with lymphadenectomy may sometimes result in a lymphorrhagia, which usually resolves spontaneously within a few days, sometimes becoming a refractory complication to the treatment. In the case of large flows, particular attention should be paid to hydro-electrolytic and protein losses. We present the case of a patient with persistent lymphorrhagia after a cephalic duodenopancreatectomy for a pancreatic head tumor. From the 5th postoperative day, the patient had a milky-like secretion on the subhepatic drainage tube. The discharge rate was variable, between 500 and 1500 ml per day, requiring parenteral administration of amino acids, plasma and electrolyte solutions. The postoperative progression was slowly favorable, with the patient discharge on the 25th day following surgery. There are several treatment options for a lymphorrhagia following an extended lymphadenectomy, from intensive parenteral therapy to peritoneal-venous shunt or ligation of the lymphatic vessel responsible for the production of lymphorrhagia. In this case the conservative treatment had a favorable result.

A review of the postoperative lymphatic leakage

Lymphatic complications are rare, but well-known phenomena, and have been described by many researchers. However, many diagnoses of lymphatic complications are found confusing due to different definition. A literature search in Pubmed was performed for studies postoperative lympatic complications. These complications divided into two parts: lymphatic leakage and lymphatic stasis. This review is about lymphatic leakage, especially, postoperative lymphatic leakage due to the injury of lymphatic channels in surgical procedures. According to polytrophic consequences, many types of postoperative lymphatic leakage have been presented, including lymph ascites, lymphocele, lymphorrhea, lymphatic fistula, chylous ascites, chylothorax, chyloretroperitoneum and chylorrhea. In this review, we focus on the definition, incidence and treatment about most of these forms of lymphatic complications to depict a comprehensive view of postoperative lymphatic leakage. We hold the idea that the method of treatment should be individual and personal according to manifestation and tolerance of patient. Meanwhile, conservative treatment is suitable and should be considered first.

Management of high-output chylous ascites after D2-lymphadenectomy in patients with gastric cancer: a multi-center study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to propose treatment strategies for high-output chylous ascites (CA) developed after gastric cancer surgery.

METHODS

The data of patients with CA after gastric cancer surgery in three high volume Training and Research Hospitals between 2005 and 2015 were retrospectively evaluated.

RESULTS

Nine patients out of 436 gastrectomies were detected with CA. The mean amount of daily fistula output was 939 mL. Treatment consisted of cessation of oral feeding, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), somatostatin analogs administration, clamping and/or removal of the drainage tube, diuretic administration and diet therapy with medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) alone or in combination. The mean fistula closure time and length of hospital stay were 23 and 24 days respectively. Hemopneumothorax developed during right subclavian vein catheterisation for TPN implementation in one patient. There was no mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined cessation of oral feeding and TPN are usually used for treatment of CA as first-line treatment. However, TPN is no harmless. Although our data are limited they do allow us to conclude that diet with MCT's may use for medical treatment of CA as first-line.