Chyloperitoneum After Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (LRYGB)

A true chylous effusion is defined as the presence of ascitic fluid with high fat (triglyceride) content, usually higher than 110 mg/dl. We report a case of chyloperitoneum following laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) in a 40-year-old patient who was admitted for surgery on May 31, 2007. On August 2008 an abdominal CT with contrast was ordered for chronic abdominal pain showing diffuse ascites as well as mesenteric adenitis. On September 2008, the patient was admitted to the hospital. An elective diagnostic laparoscopy was scheduled. A large amount of chylous fluid was found. Microscopic analysis came back negative. The patient made an uneventful recovery after surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of chylous ascites following LRYGB. Chyloperitoneum should be considered as a possible cause of ascites in patients with chronic small bowel obstruction following a LRYGB.