Conservative treatment of postsurgical lymphatic leaks with somatostatin-14

Long-term conservative treatment of chylous ascites in gynecological malignant surgery: a case report and literature review

Chylous ascites is a rare complication of abdominal surgery. Although most patients show improvement with conservative treatment. Long-term leakage of chylous ascites can cause malnutrition, dehydration, and immunosuppression; therefore, an early cure is desirable, but no standard treatment for chylous ascites has been established, and determining the timing of surgical intervention is difficult. A 74-year-old woman underwent surgery for carcinosarcoma of the fallopian tube, including dissection of the pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes. She was noted to have a large amount of chylous ascites postoperatively. Furthermore, a low-fat diet, weekly ascites punctures and lymphangiography were performed. However, the leakage was not resolved. After ten weeks of intensive treatment with fasting, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), octreotide, etilefrine, and fibrogammin, beginning 18 weeks postoperatively, the chylous ascites changed to serous and disappeared. Long-term conservative treatment may improve chylous ascites, and continued conservative treatment without surgical intervention is an option. The patient was resistant to a low-fat diet, although fasting and TPN were effective. In addition, a change in the color of the ascites from milky white to serous as a precursor to improvement of the erosive ascites may help to consider the timing of surgical intervention.

Management of chylous ascites after liver cirrhosis: A case report

BACKGROUND

Chylous ascites is an uncommon condition, occurring in less than 1% of ascites cases. It results from traumatic or obstructive disruption of the lymphatic system, causing the leakage of thoracic or intestinal lymph into the abdominal cavity. This leads to the accumulation of a milky, triglyceride-rich fluid. In adults, malignancy and cirrhosis are the primary causes of chylous ascites. Notably, chylous ascites accounts for only 0.5% to 1% of all cirrhosis-related ascites cases. At present, there is a limited understanding of this condition, and effective timely management in clinical practice remains challenging.

CASE SUMMARY

This case report presents a patient with hepatic cirrhosis complicated by chylous ascites, who had experienced multiple hospitalizations due to abdominal distension. Upon admission, comprehensive examinations and assessments were conducted. The treatment strategy focused on nutritional optimization through a low-sodium, low-fat, and high-protein diet supplemented with medium-chain triglycerides, therapeutic paracentesis, and diuretics. Following a multidisciplinary discussion and thorough evaluation of the patient's condition, surgical indications were confirmed. After informing the patient about the benefits and risks, and obtaining consent, a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedure was performed, successfully alleviating the abdominal swelling symptoms. This article details the clinical characteristics and treatment approach for this uncommon case, summarizing current management methods for hepatic cirrhosis complicated by chylous ascites. The aim is to provide valuable insights for clinicians encountering similar situations.

CONCLUSION

Optimizing nutrition and addressing the underlying cause are essential in the treatment of chylous ascites. When conservative approaches prove ineffective, alternative interventions such as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt may be considered.

Use of octreotide for the treatment of protein-losing enteropathy in dogs: Retrospective study of 18 cases

BACKGROUND

More than 50% of dogs with protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) fail to respond to standard therapies. Octreotide, a somatostatin analogue, is used in cases of intestinal lymphangiectasia (IL) in humans with some success.

OBJECTIVES

Describe the use of octreotide in dogs with PLE including reason for and details of prescription, adverse effects, and apparent response.

ANIMALS

Eighteen dogs with PLE, 13 with histopathology available. Ninety-two percent (12/13) had IL diagnosed on biopsy. All 13 dogs had intestinal inflammatory infiltrates noted.

METHODS

Multicenter, retrospective, descriptive study. Cases were volunteered for inclusion by individual attending veterinarians who reported the use of octreotide in cases of PLE.

RESULTS

In 16/18 (89%) cases octreotide was prescribed to PLE dogs with a clinical suspicion or confirmed diagnosis of IL that were refractory to standard therapies. Median serum albumin at the time of octreotide prescription was 1.7 g/dL (range, 1.0-3.1 g/dL). The median dose of octreotide prescribed was 20 μg/kg, SQ, daily with a range of 4-39 μg/kg, SQ, daily. Adverse effects were noted in 3/18 (17%, 95% CI [4%, 41%]) of dogs; discontinuation of the drug was necessary in 1 dog. Improvement in clinical signs was noted in 6/12 (50%, 95% CI [21%, 79%]).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Octreotide was most commonly prescribed to dogs with PLE and suspected or confirmed IL that had failed to respond to standard therapies. Though a benefit to PLE dogs cannot be confirmed, octreotide was well tolerated by the majority of dogs at the doses prescribed in this study.

The application of a medium-chain fatty diet and enteral nutrition in post-operative chylous leakage: analysis of 63 patients

Background

Post-operative chylous leakage (CL) is the pathologic leakage of chylomicron fluid after surgery. This retrospective study was performed to evaluate a uniform oral nutrition management strategy on the post-operative CL.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed patients who developed post-operative CL and received consultation from a clinical nutritionist in seven departments of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University from May 2020 to April 2022. We designed the oral nutrition intervention program which mainly standardized the type and amount of foods contained in the medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) diet. The influencing factors of curative efficacy were analyzed. Finally, binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to observe the relationship between curative efficacy and potentially predictive variables, including post-operative albumin, post-operative hemoglobin, surgical procedure, and drainage volume at consultation.

Results

Sixty-three patients with post-operative CL were included in this analysis. Of this number, 58 patients were cured successfully without other treatments. Three patients had a significantly prolonged recovery period, and the remaining two cases were treated by reoperation therapy. The leakage volume at the initiation of enteral intervention had no statistically significant difference in seven surgical departments and surgical sites (left, right, median, and bilateral). The length of stay (LOS) of patients with CL after the intervention was not significantly increased in cardiac, hepatobiliary, gastrointestinal, and urological surgeries. Patients with CL had longer LOS than those without CL in gynecology (P=0.044) and thyroid surgery departments (P=0.008). Each unit increase in post-operative hemoglobin would increase the probability of an effective outcome by 8%, which was statistically significant (P = 0.037).

Conclusion

In treating patients with post-operative CL, we recommend the MCT diet and EN as the first option, rather than fasting, parenteral nutrition (PN), or octreotide.

Diagnosis and treatment of chylous leakage after modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer: a case report

The post-operative complication of chylous leakage after breast cancer is relatively rare, and few clinical studies have been published. We report a 64-year-old woman with chylous leakage following modified radical mastectomy. We describe the patient's diagnostic and treatment process in detail. The patient was diagnosed with grade II (left) breast invasive ductal carcinoma. Post-operatively, the patient's chest wall and axilla were pressurized, and negative pressure drainage was initiated. On the fifth post-operative day, the drainage from the chest wall and axilla increased significantly, and the patient developed chylous leakage on the eighth postoperative day. We injected meglumine diatrizoate (100 mL) and elemene (10 mL) into the patient's axilla, and the chylous leakage gradually resolved 18 days post-operatively. In this report, we focus on managing a case of chylous leakage after modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer. Meglumine diatrizoate combined with elemene is a possible treatment for the management of this rare complication.

[Modern Treatment Options for Postoperative Chylothorax: a Systematic Review]

BACKGROUND

 Chylothorax is a multifactorial complication, usually caused by surgery or traumatic injury, and more rarely by malignant disease. Because of the lack of prospective, randomised trials, the evidence-based treatment rests upon personal experience, but ideally taking into account retrospective analysis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

 The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the currently available modern treatment options. Another aspect is to show their advantages and disadvantages. For this purpose, a literature search was performed using the "PubMed" database. Publications older than ten years were excluded from this review. The literature search employed the keyword "chylothorax". The priority was set on publications including a comparative assessment of treatment approaches. The authors relied on many years of clinical experience to critically analyse and evaluate the treatment options and the given recommendations.

RESULTS

 The success rate of the conservative treatment methods ranges widely, depending on the underlying cause of the disease (3-90 %). Non-invasive or semi-invasive procedures are successful in 50 to 100 % of the cases, also depending on the aetiology. After unsuccessful conservative treatment of operable patients, the standard surgical therapy consists of thoracic duct ligature, which is usually performed thoracoscopically. Alternatively, pleurodesis or the placement of a permanent chest drain (PleurX) or a pleuroperitoneal shunt may be performed. The success rate of these procedures is between 64 and 100 %. The morbidity and mortality rate can reach values up to 25 %.

CONCLUSION

 Treatment of a chylothorax should be started conservatively. Subsequently, a more aggressive therapy may be gradually considered, based on the patient's health and the amount of the secretion. Interventional radiological procedures are safe, successful, and have a legitimate place alongside conservative or surgical treatment. However, they are currently only available in some larger centres.

Lymph or Chyle Leak After Neck Dissection in Patients With Thyroid Carcinoma: Results of a Study on 1724 Patients

BACKGROUND

To discuss the prevention and treatment of lymph or chyle leak following neck dissection in patients with thyroid carcinoma.

METHODS

A total of 1724 patients with thyroid carcinoma received neck dissection in the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between November 2009 and October 2014. The incidence and management of leak were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 92 (5.34%) patients developed leak, 28 (1.62%) developed lymph leak, 59 (3.42%) developed chyle leak, and 5 (.29%) developed chylothorax. Medical management to stop postoperative lymph or chyle leak included pressure dressing, reoperation, fasting, or low-fat diet therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Lymph or chyle leak may occur in thyroid carcinoma patients who underwent neck dissection. Clinicians should alert to leak when there were IV + VI region lymph node metastasis and should become aware of chylothorax after pressure dressing. A careful identification and ligation of lymphatic duct may be an effective way to avoid lymph or chyle leak.

Chylous Ascites: An Unusual Complication of Peritoneal Dialysis. A Case Report and Literature Review

Chylous ascites is a rare complication in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. It may occur due to traumatic peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion or other causes. It is important to be aware of this condition as it may be confused with peritonitis, and antibiotics may be inappropriately administered. We report a case of chylous ascites occurring after catheter insertion and discuss management of this condition.

Clinical approach and review of causes of a chylothorax

A chylothorax, also known as chylous pleural effusion, is an uncommon cause of pleural effusion with a wide differential diagnosis characterized by the accumulation of bacteriostatic chyle in the pleural space. The pleural fluid will have either or both triglycerides >110 mg/dL and the presence of chylomicrons. It may be encountered following a surgical intervention, usually in the chest, or underlying disease process. Management of a chylothorax requires a multidisciplinary approach employing medical therapy and possibly surgical intervention for post-operative patients and patients who have failed medical therapy. In this review, we aim to discuss the anatomy, fluid characteristics, etiology, and approach to the diagnosis of a chylothorax.

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.

Thoracic Duct Injury Following Cervical Spine Surgery: A Multicenter Retrospective Review

STUDY DESIGN

Multicenter retrospective case series.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the rate of thoracic duct injury during cervical spine operations.

METHODS

A retrospective case series study was conducted among 21 high-volume surgical centers to identify instances of thoracic duct injury during anterior cervical spine surgery. Staff at each center abstracted data for each identified case into case report forms. All case report forms were collected by the AOSpine North America Clinical Research Network Methodological Core for data processing, cleaning, and analysis.

RESULTS

Of a total of 9591 patients reviewed that underwent cervical spine surgery, 2 (0.02%) incurred iatrogenic injury to the thoracic duct. Both patients underwent a left-sided anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. The interruption of the thoracic duct was addressed intraoperatively in one patient with no residual postoperative effects. The second individual developed a chylous fluid collection approximately 2 months after the operation that required drainage via needle aspiration.

CONCLUSIONS

Damage to the thoracic duct during cervical spine surgery is a relatively rare occurrence. Rapid identification of the disruption of this lymphatic vessel is critical to minimize deleterious effects of this complication.

Thoracic Duct Chylous Fistula Following Severe Electric Injury Combined with Sulfuric Acid Burns: A Case Report

Patient: Male, 32

Final Diagnosis: Thoracic duct chylous fistula

Symptoms: Fistula

Medication: —

Clinical Procedure: A boneless muscle flap transplantatio

Specialty: —

Chyle leak following surgery for abdominal neuroblastoma

BACKGROUND

The incidence and optimal management of postoperative chylous leak of neuroblastoma is inadequately documented. We analyzed the risk factors, management, and the implication of chyle leak following surgery for abdominal neuroblastoma.

METHODS

One hundred sixty patients who underwent surgery for abdominal neuroblastoma between September 2004 and August 2014 were evaluated. To find the oncological implication we evaluated the delay in starting further treatment, local control, event free and overall survival.

RESULTS

Chyle leak was the most common complication (20%). The median measure of leakage was 100ml/day and it persisted for a median of 12days. All patients were managed conservatively except one who needed exploration for wound dehiscence. Number of lymph nodes resected was the only factor associated with the risk of chyle leaks (p=0.013). Adjuvant chemotherapy was not delayed in any patient because of chyle leaks per se and the local control, event free and overall survival were not different for patients with and without chyle leak.

CONCLUSION

Chylous leakage is a common postoperative complication of abdominal neuroblastoma, predisposed by the number of lymph nodes resected. It responds to conservative management and does not compromise further the oncological treatment and outcome hence; it should not be a deterrent to complete surgery.

Management of ascites in children

Ascites is the pathologic accumulation of fluid within the peritoneal cavity. There are many causes of fetal, neonatal and pediatric ascites; however, chronic liver disease and subsequent cirrhosis remain the most common. The medical and surgical management of ascites in children is dependent on targeting the underlying etiology. Broad categories of management strategies include: sodium restriction, diuresis, paracentesis, intravenous albumin, prevention and treatment of infection, surgical and endovascular shunts and liver transplantation. This review updates and expands the discussion of the unique considerations regarding the management of cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic ascites in the pediatric patient.

Chyle leak following right axillary lymph node dissection: A case report and review of current literature

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Chyle leak is an uncommon complication of axillary node dissection.

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The majority of reported cases occur on the left side, however several instances of right sided chyle leaks are reported.

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The majority of chyle leaks respond to conservative management with: diet modification, pressure and drainage.

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Diagnosis is based on clinical appearance for drainage, laboratory evaluation and lymphscintigraphy.

This report discusses the case of a chyle leak following a right axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer. This presented as a sudden change in drainage character from a right axillary surgical drain from serous to milky white shortly after restarting a diet. The diagnosis of chyle leak was confirmed by laboratory testing of the fluid and managed with closed suction drainage. Chyle leak is a rare, but increasingly recognized complication following axillary clearance for breast cancer and melanoma.

A Large Pleural Effusion following Abdominal Aortic Surgery

Chylous ascites and coexistent chylothorax is a rare but important complication following retroperitoneal abdominal surgery. We report a 70-year-old male who developed gradual abdominal distension, chest tightness, and dyspnea five months after having an uncomplicated aortobifemoral bypass performed. Physical examination was consistent with a large right sided effusion and ascites which were confirmed by computed tomography. Thoracentesis yielded an opaque milky fluid with analysis consistent with a chylothorax with a paracentesis revealing fluid that was similar in both appearance and biochemistry. The patient failed initial conservative management so a chest tube was placed followed by chemical pleurodesis. We review the literature of the pathophysiology and treatment approach to such a pleural effusion.

Traumatic chylothorax: A case report and review

Chylothorax is a rare entity characterised by leakage of lymphatic fluid into the pleural cavity from the thoracic duct. We present a case of traumatic chylothorax following a traumatic fracture of the L1 vertebra. An 84-year-old lady presented to the emergency department after being found collapsed at home. She gave a preceding history of one day of diarrhoea. Chest X-ray showed a rightsided effusion. Drainage of the effusion yielded a cloudy, off-white fluid that settled in layers in the drainage container. Pleural fluid examination revealed a lymphocyte-rich transudate with high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. CT imaging of the chest, abdomen and pelvis revealed an acute left sided pulmonary embolus, and a multisegment burst fracture of the L1 vertebra. The patient was anticoagulated for the pulmonary embolus. Conservative fracture management was advised. Chylous drainage of 1l/24hr was observed. Due to ongoing chylous leak the patient was commenced on a medium-chain fatty acid diet and octreotide. Whilst chylous drainage ceased the patient died from infected pressure sores, malnutrition and acute kidney injury. Spinal trauma can rarely cause disruption of the thoracic duct and chylothorax. Diagnosis of chylothorax hinges on the typically high triglyceride content of chylous fluid and the detection of chylomicrons where the triglyceride concentration is equivocal. Management options for persistently draining chylothorax are varied and range from non-invasive medical measures to radiological and surgical interventions (although the patient in the case we present was an unsuitable candidate for surgery). We discuss pertinent diagnostic testing and put forward possible medical management strategies for chylothorax.

Effect of somatostatin in advanced gastric cancer after D2 radical gastrectomy

AIM: To study the effect of somatostatin in patients with advanced gastric cancer who received D2 lymphadenectomy and vagina vasorum dissection.

METHODS: Using a prospective, single-blind, placebo-controlled design, patients with advanced gastric cancer were randomized into a study group (n = 61) and a control group (n = 59). Patients in the study group were given somatostatin for 5-7 d starting 6 h after the operation, and patients in the control group were given normal saline. Preoperative and nonoperative complications in the perioperative period, as well as different types of postoperative drainage in the two groups were compared.

RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the study group and the control group for preoperative clinicopathological indicators. We found no significant difference between the two groups for the overall incidence of complications, but a lower percentage of peritoneal effusion was observed in the treatment group (1.6% vs 10.2%, P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the incidence of postoperative pancreatic dysfunction and chylous fistula. However, there were significant differences in the amylase concentration in drainage fluid, volume and duration of drainage, volume and duration of chylous fistula and peritoneal drainage, and volume and duration of gastric tube drainage. The study group did not show any increase in mean hospitalization cost and the cost reduced when the postoperative complications occurred.

CONCLUSION: Postoperative somatostatin reduces volume and duration of surgical drainage and related complications. Somatostatin may improve safety of gastric cancer surgery, reducing postoperative complications and promoting recovery.

Treatment options in patients with chylothorax

BACKGROUND

Chylothorax arises when lymphatic fluid (chyle) accumulates in the pleural cavity because of leakage from lymphatic vessels. It is most commonly seen after thoracic surgery (in 0.5% to 1% of cases) and in association with tumors. No prospective or randomized trials have yet been performed to evaluate the available treatment options.

METHOD

This review is based on a selective search of the PubMed database for pertinent publications from the years 1995 to 2013. Emphasis was laid on articles that enabled a comparative assessment of treatment options.

RESULTS

Initial conservative treatment (e.g., parenteral nutrition or a special diet) succeeds in 20% to 80% of cases. When such treatment fails, the standard approach up to the present has been to treat surgically, e.g., with ligation of the thoracic duct, pleurodesis, or a pleuroperitoneal shunt. The success rates of such procedures have ranged from 25% to 95%. Most of the patients undergoing such procedures are severely ill; complication rates as high as 38% have been reported, with mortality as high as 25%. In more recent publications, however, morbidity and mortality were lower. Interventional radiological treatments, such as percutaneous thoracic duct embolization or the percutaneous destruction of lymphatic vessels, succeed in about 70% of cases and lead to healing in up to 80% of cases, even after unsuccessful surgery. The complication rate of percutaneous methods is roughly 3%.

CONCLUSION

Interventional radiological procedures have now taken their place alongside conservative treatment and surgery in the management of chylothorax, although they are currently available in only a small number of centers.

Octreotide therapy for the management of refractory chylous ascites after a staging operation for endometrial adenocarcinoma

Chylous ascites after para-aortic lymphadenectomy is caused by a rupture in the retroperitoneal lymphatic channels. The incidence of postoperative chylous ascites is increasing as para-aortic lymphadenectomy for the management of gynecologic malignancies becomes more common. However, management of this condition remains unsatisfactory because some patients do not respond to conservative methods and have to undergo surgical intervention, even though they may be malnourished and immunosuppressed. We report the case of a patient who underwent a standard staging operation for endometrial cancer and experienced a large amount of lymphatic leakage, in spite of treatment with total parenteral nutrition and a low-fat diet for over 40 days. As a step-up approach, octreotide, a somatostatin analog, was added and the disease resolved completely. This case demonstrated that octreotide therapy is highly effective in refractory cases of chylous ascites where a large amount of leakage is observed and cases that are otherwise indicated for surgical intervention.

Chyluria after ligation of the thoracic duct: a rare complication after thoracoscopic-assisted esophagectomy for esophageal cancer

Chyluria is leakage of lymphatic fluid into the urine, following trauma to or obstruction of the lymphatic system. We herein report a rare case of chyluria after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. A 69-year-old male complaining of epigastric pain and reflux symptoms was diagnosed with advanced esophageal cancer and regional lymph node metastases. After receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy to control the regional lymph node metastases, the patient underwent transthoracic excision of the esophagus assisted by thoracoscopy, with excision of the azygos vein and thoracic duct, esophagostomy and tube gastrostomy. On postoperative day 22, the urine appeared ivory white in color, and urine tests showed a high triglyceride level, thus confirming the diagnosis of chyluria. The chyluria decreased temporarily after switching the patient from enteral nutrition (EN) to parental nutrition, but it emerged again after the resumption of EN. Lymphangiography at that stage showed the flow of lipiodol into the pelvis of the left kidney. Resolution of the chyluria was noted after lymphangiography. He underwent esophageal reconstruction with a gastric tube through an anterior mediastinal route, and was discharged 36 days after the second operation. He was thereafter followed up at the outpatient clinic with radiotherapy.

Octreotide in Hennekam syndrome-associated intestinal lymphangiectasia

A number of disorders have been described to cause protein losing enteropathy (PLE) in children. Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia (PIL) is one mechanism leading to PLE. Few syndromes are associated with PIL; Hennekam syndrome (HS) is one of them. The principal treatment for PIL is a high protein, low fat diet with medium chain triglycerides supplementation. Supportive therapy includes albumin infusion. Few publications have supported the use of octreotide to diminish protein loss and minimize hypoalbuminemia seen in PIL. There are no publications on the treatment of PIL with octreotide in patients with HS. We report two children with HS and PLE in which we used octreotide to decrease intestinal protein loss. In one patient, octreotide increased serum albumin to an acceptable level without further need for albumin infusions. The other patient responded more dramatically with near normal serum albumin levels and cessation of albumin infusions. In achieving a good response to octreotide in both patients, we add to the publications supporting the use of octreotide in PIL and suggest that octreotide should be tried in patients with PIL secondary to HS. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report on the use of octreotide in HS-associated PIL.

Somatostatin treatment of a persistent chyloperitoneum following abdominal aortic surgery

Chyloperitoneum is an uncommon but serious complication of abdominal aortic surgery. There are no optimal guidelines for the management of chyloperitoneum. We present here our experiences regarding the treatment of chyloperitoneum with somatostatin for three patients who underwent surgery for abdominal aortic disease. Milky, odorless liquid was observed in the abdominal drain of these patients. The conservative treatment with total parenteral nutrition failed; therefore, in parallel, we initiated a somatostatin treatment as a continuous perfusion. Drain loss decreased in all up to the second day of treatment. The probable mechanisms of the somatostatin decrease the intestinal absorption of fats via the specific receptors, decrease triglyceride concentration in the thoracic duct, and attenuate lymph flow in the major lymphatic channels. The presented cases showed successful treatment using somatostatin and may be a new generation of effective treatments for chyloperitoneum.

Chylous ascites after liver transplantation: incidence and risk factors

In this study, we evaluated the diagnosis, epidemiology, risk factors, and treatment of chylous ascites developing after liver transplantation (LT). Between 2002 and 2011, LT was performed 693 times in 631 patients at our clinic. One-hundred fifteen of these patients were excluded for reasons such as retransplantation, early postoperative mortality, and insufficient data. Chylous ascites developed after LT (mean ± SD = 8.0 ± 3.2 days, range = 5-17 days) in 24 of the 516 patients included in this study. Using univariate and multivariate analyses, we examined whether the following were risk factors for developing chylous ascites: age, sex, body mass index, graft-to-recipient weight ratio, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, vena cava cross-clamping time, total operation time, Child-Pugh classification, sodium level, portal vein thrombosis or ascites before transplantation, donor type, albumin level, and perihepatic dissection technique [LigaSure vessel sealing system (LVSS) versus conventional suture ligation]. According to a univariate analysis, a low albumin level (P = 0.04), the presence of ascites before transplantation (P = 0.03), and the use of LVSS for perihepatic dissection (P < 0.01) were risk factors for developing chylous ascites. According to a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model, the presence of pretransplant ascites [P = 0.04, hazard ratio (HR) = 2.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1-13.5] and the use of LVSS for perihepatic dissection (P = 0.01, HR = 5.4, 95% CI = 1.5-34.4) were independent risk factors. In conclusion, the presence of preoperative ascites and the use of LVSS for perihepatic dissection are independent risk factors for the formation of chylous ascites. To our knowledge, this study is the most extensive examination of the development of chylous ascites. Nevertheless, our results should be supported by new prospective trials.

Idiopathic chylous ascites treated with total parenteral nutrition and octreotide. A case report and review of the literature

Chylous ascites is the accumulation of lipid-rich lymph in the peritoneal cavity. The usual cause in adults is lymphatic obstruction or leakage caused by malignancy. Non-malignant causes include postoperative trauma, cirrhosis, tuberculosis, pancreatitis and filariasis. A variety of treatment options have been proposed for the management of chylous ascites; however, their effectiveness in idiopathic or primary form is unknown. Here we report a case of chylous acid rapidly resolved with the treatment of fasting, total parenteral nutrition and somatostatin analogue.

Chylous ascites following robotic lymph node dissection on a patient with metastatic cervical carcinoma

Chylous ascites is an uncommon postoperative complication of gynecological surgery. We report a case of chylous ascites following a robotic lymph node dissection for a cervical carcinoma. A 38-year-old woman with IB2 cervical adenocarcinoma with a palpable 3 cm left external iliac lymph node was taken to the operating room for robotic-assisted laparoscopic pelvic and para-aortic lymph node dissection. Patient was discharged on postoperative day 2 after an apparent uncomplicated procedure. The patient was readmitted the hospital on postoperative day 9 with abdominal distention and a CT-scan revealed free fluid in the abdomen and pelvis. A paracentesis demonstrated milky-fluid with an elevated concentration of triglycerides, confirming the diagnosis of chylous ascites. She recovered well with conservative measures. The risk of postoperative chylous ascites following lymph node dissection is still present despite the utilization of new technologies such as the da Vinci robot.

Thoracic duct fistula after thyroid cancer surgery: towards a new treatment?

The use of somatostatin analogs is a new conservative therapeutic approach for the treatment of chyle fistulas developing after thyroid cancer surgery. The combination therapy with a total parenteral nutrition should avoid the high morbidity of a re-intervention with an uncertain outcome. This promising trend is supported by the present case report of a chyle leak occurring after total thyroidectomy with central and lateral neck dissection for a papillary carcinoma, which was treated successfully without immediate or distant sequelae.

Prevention and treatment of lymphorrhoea following surgery for gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Lymphorrhoea is a rare complication of abdominal surgery. However, there have been a few reports of lymphorrhoea following radical gastrectomy. Here, we retrospectively review the clinical analysis and treatment of lymphorrhoea based on our experiences.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed a total of 1596 patients who underwent surgery for gastric cancer between January 1995 and January 2007. D1 and D2 lymphadenectomies were performed in 1104 patients, and D3 and D4 lymphadenectomies were performed in the other 492 patients. Disrupted lymph vessels were ligated in 545 patients, and electrically cauterized in 559 patients. Before December 31 2000, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) was administered to all the patients, and after 1 January 2001, TPN was supplemented with octreotide in all the post-operative patients.

RESULTS

The incidence of lymphorrhoea in patients with D3 and D4 lymphadenectomy was much higher than that in D1 and D2 lymphadenectomy patients (P < 0.05). In addition, the incidence of lymphorrhoea in patients in whom the electrotome cautery was significantly higher than that in patients who received ligation. The addition of octreotide to TPN can reduce the quantity and duration of lymphorrhoea (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Ligating rather than cauterizing the disrupted lymph vessels can be done to minimize the incidence of lymphorrhoea. The combination of Octreotide and TPN appears to be an effective therapeutic modality for lymphorrhoea.

Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia in children: is octreotide an effective and safe option in the treatment?

OBJECTIVE

Octreotide has been suggested as a medical treatment option in refractory cases of primary intestinal lymphangiectasia (IL). There are few data about the long-term effect and safety of octreotide for IL in the literature. In the present article we analyzed pediatric cases of primary IL with long-term octreotide treatment and discussed its safety profile.

METHODS

Between 1999 and 2008, 13 children were diagnosed in our clinic as having IL. Six patients with primary IL were followed up, receiving octreotide therapy. The clinical data of the patients and duration of therapy, dose, and side effects of octreotide were evaluated.

RESULTS

Octreotide, 15 to 20 μg per body weight 2 times daily subcutaneously, was given to all of the patients. Duration of the octreotide treatment changed between 3 and 37 months. Stool frequency decreased in all of the patients after starting octreotide treatment. Serum albumin could be maintained at normal levels in 3 patients. The requirement of albumin infusions decreased in all of the patients. Acute pancreatitis was observed as a side effect of octreotide in 1 patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Octreotide may help to maintain serum albumin levels, improve clinical findings, and decrease the requirement of albumin infusions in refractory cases of primary IL.

OK-432 therapy for chylous pleural effusion or ascites associated with lymphatic malformations

OK-432 therapy is effective for the treatment of macrocystic lymphatic malformations (LMs), but the optimal management of patients with microcystic LMs associated with large chylous pleural effusions or chylous ascites is not resolved. We performed thoracoscopic- or laparoscopic-guided injection of OK-432 for 2 patients with diffuse microcystic LMs accompanied by refractory chylous pleural effusion or chylous ascites. Both cases responded well to OK-432 therapy with improvement/resolution of fluid collections and associated symptoms. We recommend the use of OK-432 therapy as a promising treatment for microcystic LMs with functionally significant lymphatic fluid collections.

Therapeutic management of neonatal chylous ascites: report of a case and review of the literature

Congenital chylous ascites is a rare condition seen in the neonatal period and the data on pathogenesis and treatment modalities are limited. In this article, we report a case of neonate with chylous ascites and review the therapeutic management procedures on chylous ascites in childhood. We present our experience in the diagnosis and treatment of this condition.

CONCLUSION

Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT)-based diet can be tried as a first option in chylous ascites treatment. In resistant or unresponsive cases, somatostatin along with TPN can have use in closing the lymphatic leakage or relieving the symptoms effectively and rapidly. Conventional regimens including enteral feeding with MCT-based formula can then be re-administered as a maintenance treatment after reduction of lymph flow with the use of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and somatostatin infusion combination. Patient-specific approach should be attempted for chylous ascites caused by various disorders and started as soon as possible.

Surgical pathology is a predictor of outcome in post-operative lymph leakage

BACKGROUND

Post-operative lymph leak is a potentially serious complication which may contribute to fluid and electrolyte imbalance, malnutrition and an increase risk of sepsis and mortality. We aimed to study the use of TPN in the treatment of post-operative lymph leak.

METHODS

Retrospective review of prospectively collected clinical database comprising patients with post-operative lymph leak treated with TPN collected over 1998-2006. An analysis of morbidity and mortality was performed.

RESULTS

36 patients developed lymph leak following radical neck dissection (n = 10), Whipples procedure (n = 13), oesophagectomy (n = 10) and pulmonary/vascular/retroperitoneal (n = 3) surgery. The survival to discharge was 89%. The mortality rate in patients with chylothorax following oesophagectomy was 30% (three out of ten). The majority of patients (67%, 24 out of 36) with lymph leak settled on TPN alone. The overall re-intervention rate was 20%. Of the seven survivors after oesophagectomy, five underwent re-intervention thoracic surgery (two also had ischaemic perforation of gastric remnant needing revision surgery). Overall, the re-intervention rate in all patients undergoing oesophageal surgery is 60%.

CONCLUSION

Most patients with post-operative lymph leak receiving TPN alone survived. It is rare for re-operation to be necessary in patients who have lymph leaks in the neck or retroperitoneum. Re-operative intervention is more commonly performed in lymph leak after oesophagectomy.

Use of octreotide in the treatment of chylopericardium

Chylopericardium involves the pericardial effusion of chyle, which can be a primary (idiopathic) or secondary condition to injury or obstruction of the thoracic duct. We present a case of isolated chylopericardium that appeared after coronary artery bypass grafting in a 46-year-old woman. After failure of the usual conservative therapy for chylopericardium, ie, pericardial drainage and a low-fat, medium-chain triglyceride diet, her treatment was completed with octreotide, a long-acting somatostatin analog. Octreotide was used subcutaneously at a 3 × 100 μg daily dose for 2 weeks. The production of pericardial fluid decreased gradually, and had normalized by the end of treatment. No side effects were evident during therapy.

Macromolecular leak from extrasplenic lymphatics during endotoxemia

BACKGROUND

The spleen has an important physiological role in maintaining blood volume; this study aimed to determine whether during pathophysiological circumstances, namely endotoxemia, the extrasplenic pathway is dysfunctional. We hypothesize that increased 'leakiness' of lymphatics in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) provides a route for loss of protein-rich fluid into third spaces and prevents the spleen from maintaining blood volume homeostasis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Male Wistar rats (200-280 g, n = 24) were anesthetized with thiopental (40-90 mg x kg(-1) x hr(-1), i.v.) to study the extrasplenic (vessels in mesentery adjoining the spleen) and ileal mesenteric microcirculation using fluorescently labeled albumin (66 KDa FITC-BSA, 0.02 g.100 g(-1), i.v.) with intravital microscopy. LPS (150 microg x kg(-1) x hr(-1) i.v.) induced constriction of rat extrasplenic venules (-14 +/- 2.4% from 40.4 +/- 7.8 microm, p < 0.05) and no change in arteriolar diameter (-4.6 +/- 4.7% from 32.6 +/- 4.3 microm). As the spleen is freely permeable to protein, a greater increase in venular versus arteriolar extrasplenic resistance increases intrasplenic capillary hydrostatic pressure, leading to fluid efflux into the lymphatics, draining the spleen. In agreement we report here increased extrasplenic venular resistance with LPS and lymphatic dilation to accommodate this fluid (13.5 +/- 6% from 18.5 +/- 4.8 microm, p < 0.05). However, the extrasplenic pathway then appeared to dysfunction, with macromolecular leak from extrasplenic venules (24.6 +/- 6.4%, p < 0.05) and lymphatics (12.1 +/- 3.4%, p < 0.05), indicated by increased interstitial FITC-BSA fluorescence. This was less than from ileal mesenteric venules (324 +/- 32%, p < 0.05). There was a concurrent decrease in mean arterial pressure (T(180): -15.1 +/- 6.9% from MAP of 130.3 +/- 8.8 mmHg at T(0), p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Lymphatics are generally considered to demonstrate unidirectional and inward uptake of large molecules. However, during endotoxemia, we have demonstrated that extrasplenic lymphatics also allow the leakage of large protein molecules out into interstitial spaces. Fluid losses from extrasplenic lymphatics could therefore contribute to hypovolemia and hypotension associated with sepsis.

The effectiveness of the treatment of octreotide on chylous ascites after liver cirrhosis

Octreotide is a crucial drug used for treating patients with chylous ascites; however, there have been few reports related to octreotide that are being used in cirrhotic patients. Thus, this thesis is designed to determine the effects of octreotide on patients with chylous ascites after liver cirrhosis. Eight patients were diagnosed with chylous ascites, on the basis of laboratory findings on ascites samples, between January 2003 and May 2008. Octreotide was given to the six patients, while the remaining two were treated as a control. All patients had persistent peritoneal drainage with the quantity and quality of the drainage fluid observed once every other day. All the necessary care was individually given to the patients during the therapy. All patients properly received combined therapy including a low-fat and low-sodium diet, and diuretic and peritoneal drainage. The volume of the peritoneal drainage was reduced to zero in one of the six patients who received octreotide therapy, while the other five had the drainage volumes decreased from 2,000 to 50 ml with a clear appearance and negative qualitative analysis of chyle. For those two patients who did not receive octreotide therapy, the conditions of peritoneal drainage seldom changed both from the qualitative and quantitative aspects. In conclusion, Octreotide, along with combined therapy, can rapidly relieve portal hypertension and reduce triglyceride levels in ascites. It appears to be an effective therapy available for the treatment of chylous ascites caused by liver cirrhosis.

Treatment and prevention of lymphorrhea after radical gastrectomy of gastric cancer

PURPOSE

Lymphorrhea is an uncommon complication of abdominal surgery. Here, we retrospectively investigate the treatment and prevention of lymphorrhea after radical gastrectomy.

METHODS

From January 1995 to January 2007, a total of 1,596 patients who underwent surgery for gastric cancer were investigated. According to the AJCC cancer stage manual, tumor stages of 693 (43.4%) cases were T1 or T2 and 903 (56.6%) cases were T3 or T4. A total of 1,104 (69.2%) patients received grade D1 lymphadenectomy or grade D2, and 492 (30.8%) patients received grade D3 or D4. Ligation was used during the lymphadenectomy in 829 (51.9%) patients, and the electrotome cautery was used in 767 (48.1%) patients. Patients diagnosed of lymphorrhea were treated with total parenteral nutrition (TPN) alone before 2001, and with TPN plus octreotide after 2001.

RESULTS

The incidence of lymphorrhea of patients with D1-2 lymphadenectomy was much lower than those with D3-4 lymphadenectomy (P < 0.01). For patients whose lymphatic vessels were ligated during the operation, the incidence of lymphorrhea was much lower than those lymphatic vessels were electrically cauterized (P < 0.01). No significant difference of incidence of lymphorrhea could be found between patients with T1-2 and T3-4 tumor stages (P > 0.05). Octreotide or TPN administration can reduce the quantity and duration of lymphorrhea,and the combination of Octreotide and TPN has a more significant effect on lymphorrhea than TPN alone (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The major cause of lymphorrhea following radical gastrectomy was the inappropriate management of lymphadenectomy. Avoiding an extensive lymphadenectomy at surgery and ligating the disrupted lymph vessels would reduce the incidence of lymphorrhea. The combination of Octreotide and TPN is an effective therapeutic modality for lymphorrhea.