PRIMARY LONG-STANDING CHYLOUS REFLUX INTO SKIN - COMBINED OPERATIVE AND NONOPERATIVE TREATMENT

Chylous discharge into cavities or skin is rare and usually arises aft er operations in the vicinity of the cisterna chyli (secondary chylous reflux). When chylous discharge is primary, however, chylous reflux h as usually been present since birth probably as a consequence of obstr uction to lymph flow at or above the cisterna chyli. We report a patie nt who had had chylous reflux into lacerated skin in a lymphedematous thigh for more than 30 years. The condition was successfully managed u sing both operative and non-operative methods.