Massive Ascites in a Renal Transplant Patient after Laparoscopic Fenestration of a Lymphocele

Abstract EN

Retroperitoneal lymphocele is a common complication of renal transplantation.

Here, we report the case of a 67-year-old woman with massive ascites after fenestration surgery for a lymphocele that developed following renal transplantation.

She had been on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis for 9 years.

Living donor renal transplantation was performed and an intrapelvic lymphocele subsequently developed.

The lymphocele did not resolve after aspiration therapy; therefore, laparoscopic fenestration was performed.

Although the lymphocele disappeared, massive ascites appeared in its stead.

Half a year later, the ascites was surgically punctured, which then gradually resolved and disappeared 6 weeks later.

Aspiration therapy should be considered in patients on long-term peritoneal dialysis, although laparoscopic fenestration is safe and effective.