Chylous leak following pylorus-preserving gastrectomy with D1 lymphadenectomy for carcinoma stomach: A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Chyle leak is the leakage of milk-like triglyceride-rich lymphatic fluid from the lymphatic system to the peritoneal cavity. The incidence of chyle leak after radical gastrectomy is very low. CASE PRESENTATION: A 77-year-old female presented with complaints of decreased appetite and weight loss for six months. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a polypoidal growth along the greater curvature and the histopathological report of the biopsy taken showed high-grade tubular adenoma with high-grade dysplasia. The patient underwent pylorus-preserving gastrectomy with D1 lymphadenectomy. Postoperatively, after initiation of the oral diet, the abdominal drain started draining milky white fluid, which was rich in triglyceride. The patient was managed conservatively with nil per oral, total parenteral nutrition, and somatostatin analogue. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The appearance of milky, nonpurulent fluid in abdominal drain concurrent with the initiation of oral feeding is characteristic of postoperative chyle leak. In our case, we managed the case successfully over a few days with total parenteral nutrition, nil per oral status, and somatostatin analogue. CONCLUSION: The incidence of chyle leak after gastrectomy is low, if it occurs it prolongs the hospital stay. Higher age, female gender, and early enteral feeding have been seen as the risk factors for chyle leak. Conservative treatment is effective and is the treatment of choice.