PURPOSE: We performed an observational study over 5 years on patients with postoperative ascites who had undergone laparoscopic surgery in our hospital. METHODS: Patients with postoperative ascites of unknown origin were monitored in the hospital from July 2006 to June 2010. Clinical manifestations, biochemical analysis, and treatment are discussed in the study. RESULTS: Of 21,380 laparoscopic surgeries, 8 cases of postoperative ascites of unknown origin were identified in otherwise healthy women. None of the patients revealed any definitive causes even after an extensive diagnostic work-up and recovered uneventfully with general supportive treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative ascites of unknown origin are a rare complication of laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. We surmised that the most likely cause of the ascites is a diffuse peritoneal injury by some substances used during the operation, and supportive therapy is very important.
PURPOSE: We performed an observational study over 5 years on patients with postoperative ascites who had undergone laparoscopic surgery in our hospital. METHODS:Patients with postoperative ascites of unknown origin were monitored in the hospital from July 2006 to June 2010. Clinical manifestations, biochemical analysis, and treatment are discussed in the study. RESULTS: Of 21,380 laparoscopic surgeries, 8 cases of postoperative ascites of unknown origin were identified in otherwise healthy women. None of the patients revealed any definitive causes even after an extensive diagnostic work-up and recovered uneventfully with general supportive treatments. CONCLUSIONS:Postoperative ascites of unknown origin are a rare complication of laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. We surmised that the most likely cause of the ascites is a diffuse peritoneal injury by some substances used during the operation, and supportive therapy is very important.