External lymphatic fistula after intra-abdominal lymphadenectomy for cancer. Treatment with total parenteral nutrition and somatostatin.
OBJECTIVE
External lymphatic fistula or chyloperitoneum after intra-abdominal lymphadenectomy may present challenging problems. In the absence of definite guidelines the choice of treatment is often empirical, with unpredictable effectiveness, and the reporting of new cases may broaden the available experience.


METHODS
We describe two cases. One patient had high-output external fistula (1300 mL/d) after para-aortic lymphadenectomy for metastatic lymph nodes. The fistula became fully evident at postoperative day 4, with resumption of an oral diet, on the basis of a 1300-mL/d output of white milky fluid from an abdominal drainage. Oral feeding was interrupted and total parenteral nutrition was started; this was transiently associated with octreotide administration, subsequently replaced by somatostatin. The second patient had a low-output fistula (350 mL/d) after liver resection and lymphadenectomy for cholangiocarcinoma and underwent treatment with total parenteral nutrition and somatostatin.


RESULTS
In the first case the lymphatic fistula healed in just less than 3 wk, with the patient constantly remaining in very good condition, without secondary complications. In the second case the low-output fistula healed more rapidly.


CONCLUSIONS
Interruption of oral feeding with total parenteral nutrition and continuous somatostatin infusion was an effective treatment in both patients with an intra-abdominal lymphatic leak.
Giovannini
Ivo
I
Department of Surgery, Hepatobiliary Unit, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart School of Medicine, Rome, Italy. ivo.giovannini@rm.unicatt.it
Giuliante
Felice
F
Chiarla
Carlo
C
Giordano
Marco
M
Ardito
Francesco
F
Vellone
Maria
M
Sarno
Gerardo
G
Nuzzo
Gennaro
G
D018281:Cholangiocarcinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D002915:Chylous Ascites / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D013004:Somatostatin