Diagnosis and Treatment of Postoperative Hepatic Lymphorrhea

Abstract

Postoperative hepatic lymphorrhea is a rare complication that can lead to refractory ascites. During surgery with lymph node dissection of the hepatoduodenal ligament, leakage of liver lymph into the abdominal cavity can occur. Due to the development of interventional radiology for various lymphatic leaks in recent years, the pathogenesis of hepatic lymphatic leakage has become more evident. Percutaneous transhepatic lymphangiography is important for the diagnosis of hepatic lymphorrhea. Although there have been case reports of percutaneous embolization and sclerotherapy treatments for hepatic lymphorrhea in recent years, there have been no case studies. However, the standard treatment for this condition remains unknown. This study discusses the anatomy of hepatic lymphatics and the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of hepatic lymphorrhea, including the latest literature on interventional radiology.