Successful management of chylous ascite after removal of residual mass in non-seminomatous germ cell tumours following chemotherapy: A single-center experience and review of the literature

Introduction: Chylous ascites is a rare but morbid condition following removal of residual mass in nonseminomatous germ cell tumours following chemotherapy. Case presentation: We hereby present the case of a 20-year-old man who had undergone RPLND with complete surgical excision. A lesion of the Cisterna chyli complicated the operation. The post-operative course was marked by the appearance of chylous ascites. The conservative management strategy for this complication was successful, but only after a month. Clinical discussion: Chylous ascites is a rare but morbid condition following removal of residual mass in nonseminomatous germ cell tumours following chemotherapy. Conservative management based on a high-protein diet with fat restriction and medium-chain triglyceride supplementation, and somatostatine are usually successful. Surgery should be reserved for situations that are refractory to treatment. Conclusions: We report our successful management and, we also analysed the different management protocols using our experience and review of the literature.