Laparoscopic management of refractory chylous ascites using fluorescence navigation with indocyanine green: A case report

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative chylous ascites is a rare complication of colorectal surgery. Conservative management is usually effective in most cases of the postoperative chylous ascites. However, surgical intervention is performed for refractory cases. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 31-year-old man with neuroendocrine carcinoma developed chylous ascites after laparoscopic descending colectomy with D3 lymphadenectomy. Conservative treatment including total parenteral nutrition and somatostatin analogue failed and surgical intervention via laparoscopy was performed for the refractory chylous ascites. Lymphatic leakage was detected at the upper part of the inferior mesenteric artery during the laparoscopic exploration and was reconfirmed by intraoperative indocyanine green injection with an infrared camera system. Moreover, we injected the ICG into the other sites of the lymphadenectomy performed and identified the lymphatic flow. We confirmed there was no other lymphatic leakage. The lesion was ligated and closed with fibrin glue. Five months after the surgical intervention, no symptom was noted. DISCUSSION: It is frequently difficult to detect the site of lymphatic leakage intraoperatively. Intraoperative indocyanine green injection is useful for detecting a lymphatic leakage site and especially making sure without other leakages. Additionally, laparoscopic surgery seems safe and effective for refractory chylous ascites. CONCLUSION: we reported successful laparoscopic management of refractory chylous ascites using fluorescence navigation with indocyanine green.