Conservative management of chylous ascites complicating aortic surgery: a case report.

Chylous ascites is an uncommon complication of aortic surgery. In the past, operative management was the standard therapy. A 62-year-old man with chylous ascites was treated successfully with paracentesis and total parenteral nutrition alone. A review of the recent literature suggests that a preliminary course of conservative therapy can limit the need for operative intervention to those who fail the primary conservative treatment.