Pancreatic ascites: a rare complication of distal splenorenal shunt.

Ascites has become recognized as a common postoperative complication of the distal splenorenal shunt. On rare occasions the ascites has been chylous in nature. The present report is the first documented case of pancreatic ascites occurring after this operation. This complication developed in the combined setting of chronic pancreatitis and surgical trauma to the pancreas. Since the management of pancreatic ascites differs from that of cirrhotic or chylous ascites, it is recommended that this diagnosis be considered whenever a patient develops severe ascites after a distal spenorenal shunt.