Successful treatment of refractory hepatic lymphorrhea after gastrectomy for early gastric cancer, using surgical ligation and subsequent OK-432 (Picibanil) sclerotherapy

Gastric Cancer. 2004;7(2):117-21. doi: 10.1007/s10120-004-0276-5.

Abstract

Postoperative hepatic lymphorrhea is a very rare complication after abdominal surgery. Hepatic lymphorrhea, not containing chyle, involves an internal lymph fistula between the lymphatic channels toward the cisterna chyli and the peritoneal cavity. Over the past 20 years, 17 cases have been reported in Japan. Here, we report a further case, of a patient with successfully treated intractable hepatic lymphorrhea following gastrectomy for early gastric cancer. We review 18 cases, including the present case, with respect to the management of postoperative lymphorrhea refractory to conventional medical treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Ascites / etiology
  • Ascites / surgery
  • Fistula / etiology
  • Fistula / surgery
  • Gastrectomy / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Ligation
  • Liver / pathology*
  • Lymph Node Excision
  • Lymphocele / diagnosis*
  • Lymphocele / etiology
  • Lymphocele / surgery
  • Male
  • Picibanil / therapeutic use
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Recurrence
  • Sclerotherapy
  • Stomach Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Stomach Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Picibanil