
06/11/2025
Microsurgical Lymphatic Reconstruction for Refractory Chylous Ascites in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Case Report and Literature Review
Ravikiran Naalla, MCh*; Srikant Aruna Samantaray, MCh; Sanjeev Patil, MS, DNB; Guduru Venkat Rao, MS, M**S, FRCS; Duvvur Nageshwar Reddy, MD, DM, DSc, FRCP
This article presents the first comprehensive review of refractory chylous ascites associated with systemic lupus erythematosus, analyzing 19 cases to propose an evidence-based therapeutic framework. It introduces lymphatic bypass surgery as an effective option for this rare complication, overcoming the limitations of conventional treatment. By integrating mechanical drainage, immunomodulation, and lymphangiogenesis, this approach achieves rapid and sustained resolution of ascites. The findings offer a novel surgical strategy for autoimmune lymphatic disorders and prompt a re-evaluation of their complex pathophysiology. This study demonstrates how surgical innovation can succeed where traditional therapies fail, offering new hope in managing refractory autoimmune disease.
Article: https://scitemed.com/article/4364/scitemed-imj-2025-00197
PDF: https://scitemed.com/upload/171/4364/scitemed.imj.2025.00197.pdf?t=0631