Chylous ascites as a postoperative complication of a robot-assisted D3 extended right hemicolectomy: a case report

Chylous ascites is the accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the peritoneal cavity due to disruption or obstruction of abdominal lymphatic vessels. It typically presents as painless abdominal distention and is diagnosed by the presence of elevated triglycerides in the ascitic fluid. Although malignancy is the most common cause, abdominal surgery should also be considered in the differential diagnosis. Treatment is primarily conservative and includes a high-protein, low-fat diet with medium-chain triglyceride supplementation. In cases with poor response or contraindications to enteral nutrition, total parenteral nutrition is indicated, reserving surgical intervention for refractory cases. We report a rare case of chylous ascites following a robot-assisted D3 extended right hemicolectomy, successfully managed with conservative therapy.