CHYLE LEAK FOLLOWING LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY: A RARE CASE SCENARIO

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the preferred method for treating gallbladder conditions, with a low mortality and morbidity rate. However, complications such as bile duct injury and, more rarely, chyle leakage can occur. Chyle leakage is an uncommon condition, with only seven cases previously reported. This report presents the case of a 50-year-old woman who developed a chyle leak following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The patient initially presented with epigastric pain and was diagnosed with cholelithiasis and cholecystitis. After the surgery, a milky-white discharge from the drain was observed, which was confirmed as a chyle leak through elevated triglyceride levels in the drain fluid. Conservative management, including a fat-free diet, successfully resolved the leak without the need for surgical intervention. Given the rarity of chyle leakage after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, this case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and the potential effectiveness of conservative treatment.