Postoperative ascites of unknown origin after laparoscopic gynecologic surgery: a 5-year experience of 8 cases and review of the literature.
OBJECTIVE
We performed an observational study over 5 years on patients with postoperative ascites who had undergone laparoscopic surgery in our hospital.


METHODS
Patients with postoperative ascites of unknown origin were monitored in the hospital from July 2006 to June 2010. Clinical manifestations, biochemical analysis, and treatment are discussed in the study.


RESULTS
Of 21,380 laparoscopic surgeries, 8 cases of postoperative ascites of unknown origin were identified in otherwise healthy women. None of the patients revealed any definitive causes even after an extensive diagnostic work-up and recovered uneventfully with general supportive treatments.


CONCLUSIONS
Postoperative ascites of unknown origin are a rare complication of laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. We surmised that the most likely cause of the ascites is a diffuse peritoneal injury by some substances used during the operation, and supportive therapy is very important.
Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China.
Wei
W
Jiang
Qing
Q
Cong
Yi-Sheng
YS
Wang
Bin-Rong
BR
Cao
Cong-Jian
CJ
Xu
D000328:Adult; D000418:Albumins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D001201:Ascites / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
D000418:Albumins; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents