Idiopathic chylous ascites following vaginal delivery: A Case report

Chylous ascites is described as accumulation of chyle in the abdominal cavity. It has several causes like pancreatitis and tuberculosis. Pregnancies those were complicated by chylous ascites were shown in the literature due to that well known causes. By that time there were not any cases that showed vaginal delivery complicated by incidental chylous ascites. In the present study we reported a 19 year-old women who had chylous ascites after vaginal delivery without any potential causes of the disease. She was consultated by general surgeon and explorative laparotomy was decided which did not show any etiologic reason for ascites. After all she was referred to us for further investigation and treatment of the chyle. She was treated conservatively and the drain was removed on post-op 6th. Despite the detailed investigation there was not found any causes that explain the ascites and the increased intra-abdominal pressure during second stage of delivery was thought to be most potential cause of chylous ascites. Patient was discharged on post-op 10 and on long follow up of 6 and 12 months after delivery she was doing well and had no problem.

Keywords: Chylous ascites; Intra-abdominal pressure; Pregnancy; Vaginal delivery