# Chyle and Bile Leak Following Open Cholecystectomy: A Rare Complication

## TL;DR

This paper reports a rare case of bile and chyle leak after open cholecystectomy in an elderly patient, successfully treated with ERCP and conservative care.

## Contribution

The novelty lies in the detailed management of a rare complication following a common surgical procedure.

## Key findings

- Bile and chyle leak occurred after open cholecystectomy in a 78-year-old patient.
- ERCP and stenting effectively managed the bile leak.
- Conservative treatment resolved the chyle leak with drainage, diet, and medication.

## Abstract

Gallstone disease is extremely common and frequently and safely treated by cholecystectomy. Chyle leak is a rare but significant side effect of many abdominal surgeries with rarely reported post-cholecystectomy. In this case, we report a 78-year-old lady with multiple comorbidities and symptomatic gallstones who underwent open cholecystectomy complicated by bile and chyle leak, which was successfully managed with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and stenting for bile leak and conservative management for the chyle leak, which included drainage, low-fat diet, and octreotide.