Abstract

JIMENEZ, César Eduardo. Chylous ascitis: Case presentation and review of pathophysiology. rev. colomb. cir. [online]. 2004, vol.19, n.2, pp.76-84. ISSN 2011-7582.

We report the case of a 68 year old man who presented to the Clínica de Occidente, Bogotá, Colombia, with acute abdomen and in whom exploratory laparotomy revealed chylous ascitis. The lymphatic system performs the task of draining fluid from the interstitial space, the absorption of tryglicerides in the form of chylomicrons; it also is part of the immune system. Chylous ascitis is a rare clinical entity that is seldom reported in the literature. Its incidence has increased, associated with the large number of thoracic operations that are performed today for malignant lesions and also with the greater longevity of the population. Chylous ascitis results from different causes (postoperative radiotherapy, trauma, cancer, idiopathic, and other). The mortality rate in over 20%, resulting from the deleterious nutritional and immunologic effects. Treatment is based on nutritional support and the administration of somatostatin.

Keywords : Chylous ascitis; acute abdomen; chylous peritonitis.

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