Chylous ascites following retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. Report of 2 cases with guidelines for diagnosis and treatment

Two cases of chylous ascites following retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy are presented. The first case, a 3-year-old girl, underwent a right radical nephrectomy and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for Wilms' tumor. Chylous ascites developed postoperatively and resolved after 3 months of supportive therapy. The second case, a 45-year-old woman, underwent a right radical nephrectomy and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for renal carcinoma. Chylous ascites occurred postoperatively and resolved after a single paracentesis. Diagnosis, evaluation, and therapeutic modalities are outlined and the literature is reviewed.