AIM:To report the incidence and potential risk factors of small-volume chylous ascites(SVCA)following laparoscopic radical gastrectomy(LAG).METHODS:A total of 1366 consecutive gastric cancer patients who underwent LAG from January 2008 to June 2011 were enrolled in this study.We analyzed the patients based on the presence or absence of SVCA.RESULTS:SVCA was detected in 57(4.17%)patients,as determined by the small-volume drainage(range,30-100 m L/24 h)of triglyceride-rich fluid.Both univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that the total number of resected lymph nodes(LNs),No.8 or No.9 LN metastasis and N stage were independent risk factors for SVCA following LAG(P<0.05).Regarding hospital stay,there was a significant difference between the groups with and without SVCA(P<0.001).The 3-year disease-free and overall survival rates of the patients with SVCA were 47.4%and 56.1%,respectively,which were similar to those of the patients without SVCA(P>0.05).CONCLUSION:SVCA following LAG developed significantly more frequently in the patients with≥32harvested LNs,≥3 metastatic LNs,or No.8 or No.9LN metastasis.SVCA,which was successfully treated with conservative management,was associated with a prolonged hospital stay but was not associated with the prognosis. AIM: To report the incidence and potential risk factors of small-volume chylous ascites (SVCA) following laparoscopic radical gastrectomy (LAG). METHODS: A total of 1366 consecutive gastric cancer patients who underwent LAG from January 2008 to June 2011 were enrolled in this The analysis of the patients based on the presence or absence of SVCA.RESULTS: SVCA was detected in 57 (4.17%) patients, as determined by the small-volume drainage (range, 30-100 m L / 24 h) of triglyceride -rich fluid. Bout univariate and multivariate analyzes that revealed the total number of resected lymph nodes (LNs), No. 8 or No. 9 LN metastasis and N stage were independent risk factors for SVCA following LAG (P <0.05) .Regarding hospital stay, there was a significant difference between the groups with and without SVCA (P <0.001). The 3-year disease-free and overall survival rates of the patients with SVCA were 47.4% and 56.1% respectively, which were similar to those of the patients without SVCA (P> 0.05) .CONCLUSION: SVCA following LAG de veloped significantly more in the patients with ≥32harvested LNs, ≥3 metastatic LNs, or No.8 or No.9LN metastasis. SVCA, which was successfully treated with conservative management, was associated with a prolonged hospital stay but not not associated with the prognosis.