Chylous leakage after complete mesocolic excision of colon cancer

Objective To summarize the clinical experience in 4 patients and to investigate the effective management of chylous leakage caused by complete mesocolic excision(CME)of colon cancers.Methods between November 2009 and December 2011,61 patients who had undergone CME for colon cancers were included in the study.In the 61 patients,the clinical data of 4 patients who had postoperative chylous leakage were analyzed.Results The incidence of chylous leakage after CME was 6.6%(4/61).In the 4 patients,tumors were located in the right hemi-colon,and tumor staging was phaseⅡin 3 patients and phase Ⅲ in 1 patient.Chylous leakage occurred at an average of 5(4-6) days after operation.The maximum daily drainage volume ranged from 285 to 490 mL,with an average of 380 mL.The 4 patients were cured conservatively.Conclusions Chylous leakage often occur in the right hemicolon after complete mesocolic excision(CME),especilly in patients with phase Ⅱ and Ⅲ staging.Postoperative chylous leakage should be avoided by intraoperative prevention.Once chylous leakage occurs,support and conservative treatment should be carried out.