The deep inferior epigastric lymphatic cable flap connected to gastroepiploic lymph node flap for treatment of refractory chylous ascites: Report of two cases

5Citations
Citations of this article
5Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.
Get full text

Abstract

Chylous ascites is the leakage of lipid-rich lymph into the peritoneal cavity usually due to disruption of lymphatics or increased peritoneal lymphatic pressure. Various surgical options have been proposed to treat chylous ascites but most have shown suboptimal outcomes. The gastroepiploic vascularized lymph node (GE-VLN) flap has been described previously for the treatment of lymphedema. In chylous ascites, this flap could provide an alternate drainage pathway for the intraperitoneal chylous fluid. The purpose of this report is to present another option for the microsurgical treatment of refractory chylous ascites. Herein, we report two patients with refractory chylous ascites secondary to cancer who have undergone deep inferior epigastric-based lymphatic “cable” flap (DIE-LCF) connected to a pedicle GE-VLN flap. Patients were followed-up for a minimum of 2 years. Within the first 3 months following surgery, the patient's nutritional parameters improved along with drastic reduction of ascites. At 2 years follow-up postoperative abdominal circumference decreased significantly. None required further peritoneal paracentesis and all patients were free of chylous ascites symptoms. In conclusion, the DIE-LCF connected to a pedicle GE-VLN flap could be a feasible option for the microsurgical treatment of refractory chylous ascites.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Ciudad, P., Chen, H. C., Bustos, S. S., Manrique, O. J., Bolletta, A., Forte, A. J., … Kaya, B. (2021). The deep inferior epigastric lymphatic cable flap connected to gastroepiploic lymph node flap for treatment of refractory chylous ascites: Report of two cases. Microsurgery, 41(4), 376–383. https://doi.org/10.1002/micr.30736

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free