Successful treatment of large abdominal lymphatic malformations and chylous ascites with intra-abdominal lymphovenous anastomosis

Abstract

Large abdominal lymphatic malformations (LMs) are rare and may occasionally cause life-threatening illness, especially when they involve the central lymphatic system, lumbar trunks, cisterna chyli, thoracic duct, and their major tributaries, forming complex lymphatic anomalies. These LMs are often accompanied by chylous leak in various locations, and treatment remains challenging. We report a case of large abdominal LM with chylous ascites, protein-losing enteropathy, vaginal chylous leak, and lower limb lymphedema successfully treated with microsurgical intra-abdominal lymphovenous anastomosis and discuss the technical details of the procedure.

Keywords: Central conducting lymphatic anomaly; Chylous ascites; Chylous leak; Lymphatic malformation; Lymphovenous anastomosis.