An Unusual Presentation of Chylothorax Status Post Extensive Retroperitoneal Resection

Chylothorax may present as a postoperative complication most frequently after thoracic surgeries, although with an incidence rate of less than 1%. Chylothorax after retroperitoneal surgery is extremely rare and arises, subsequently, due to chylous ascites or chyloretroperitoneum. Diaphragmatic defects, however, have been shown to be responsible for the occurrence [16]. To the extent of our literature review, isolated chylothorax following a retroperitoneal surgery has never been reported.