Sit-ups and emergency abdominal surgery: a rare case of intestinal volvulus and resultant chylous ascites incited by abdominal exercises

Abstract

Abstract Chylous ascites is a unique phenomenon defined in the literature by ascitic fluid with a triglyceride content >200 mg/dl. This rather rare entity can be associated with a number of different pathologies related to abnormalities within the lymphatic system. This case report serves to demonstrate an intestinal volvulus and resultant chylous ascites found on exploratory laparotomy in an otherwise healthy individual who participated in routine, extreme abdominal exercises.