Chylous Ascites Following Pancreatoduodenectomy

CHYLOUS Ascites is an unusual complication of pancreatoduodenectomy. A careful search of the literature did not yield a similar case, and therefore, this report was prepared. Chylous Ascites is a sequela of an internal lymph fistula, usually of obstructive origin, secondary to either neoplasm or trauma in the majority. The present case is of a traumatic nature, iatrogenic in origin. Report of a Case A 37-year-old man, was admitted to the hospital Dec 28, 1964. On admission, the patient gave a history of severe intermittent, epigastric pain, together with severe weight loss (over 13.6 kg [30 lb]) and occasional diarrhea of several years duration. Patient denies history of jaundice or diabetes mellitus. Six months prior to admission, the patient underwent an exploratory laparotomy at which time a mass "the size of an orange" was seen in the head of the pancreas. This mass was presumed to be malignant. However, biopsy