PRIMARY LONG-STANDING CHYLOUS REFLUX INTO SKIN: Combined Operative and Non-operative Treatment

Abstract

Chylous discharge into cavities or skin is rare and usually arises after operations in thevicinity of the cisterna chyli (secondary chylous reflux). When chylous discharge is primary,however, chylous reflux has usually been present since birth probably as a consequence ofobstruction to lymph flow at or above the cisterna chyli. We report a patient who had hadchylous reflux into lacerated skin in a lymphedematous thigh for more than 30 years. Thecondition was successfully managed using both operative and non-operative methods.