Chylous ascites associated with intestinal obstruction from volvulus due to Petersen's hernia: report of a case

Background: Chylous ascites is an uncommon finding which is usually associated with recent abdominal/oncologic or retroperitoneal surgery. It is not usually seen in cases of acute obstruction. Case presentation: A patient who had previously undergone a laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction for early gastric cancer presented with acute abdominal pain and epigastric fullness. Computed tomography suggested small bowel obstruction due to volvulus. We were able to reduce the volvulus and close a Petersen's hernia without resecting the bowel; a large amount of chylous ascites was an incidental finding. Conclusions: We present a case of chylous ascites occurring in a setting of small bowel obstruction due to Petersen's hernia, 3 years after successful distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer, with no evidence of tumor recurrence.