When lymph defies benign surgery: postoperative chylous fistula

Postoperative chylous fistula in abdominal surgery for benign pathologies is an extremely rare complication. This condition usually develops after extensive resections, chest or neck surgery, and is characterized by lymphatic leakage outside the abdominal cavity. In the following report, we describe two cases of patients undergoing non-oncologic abdominal surgery who developed a chylous fistula during the postoperative period and who responded adequately to conservative management.