Objective: To discuss management of chylous leakage after retroperitoneoscopic upper-pole heminephrectomy for duplex kidney.
Methods: Between November 2004 and Februar y 2011, 39 patients underwent retroperitoneoscopic upper-pole heminephrectomy for duplex kidney, of these 5 patients had chylous leakage. The ages of the patients ranged from 32 to 60 years (mean 42). All the patients were treated conservatively, and the therapeutic effects were observed.
Results: Delayed chylous leakage in 5 patients occurred 5-31 days after surgery, and leakage occurred in 4 of the same 5 patients during the first 2 post-operative years. Chylous leakage after retroperitoneoscopic upper-pole heminephrectomy for duplex kidney preferentially occurred at the left side of duplex kidney. All the patients healed under conservative treatment.
Conclusion: Chylous leakage typically occurs after left retroperitoneoscopic upper-pole heminephrectomy for duplex kidney, and can be prevented by improving surgical technique; it can be completely relieved by conservative management with satisfactory results.