AIM:To determine the effects of total parenteral nutritionand somatostatin on patients with chylous ascites.METHODS:Five patients were diagnosed with chylousascites on the basis of laboratory findings of ascites samplefrom Nov 1999 to May 2003.Total parenteral nutrition andsomatostatin or its analogue was administered to 4 patients,while the other one only received total parenteral nutrition.All the patients had persistent peritoneal drainage,withthe quantity and quality of drainage fluid observed daily.Necessary supportive treatments were given to the patientsindividually during the therapy.RESULTS:Two of 4 patients who received somatostatintherapy obtained complete recovery within 10 d withoutany recurrence while on a normal diet.In these 2 patients,the peritoneal drainage reduced to zero in one and the other’sdecreased from 2000 mL to 80 mL with a clear appearanceand negative qualitative analysis of chyle.Recurrent chylousascites,though relieved effectively by the same methodevery time,developed in one patient with advanced pancreaticcancer.The other patient’s lymphatic fistula was blockedwith the fibrin glue after conservative treatment.The patientwho only received total parenteral nutrition was cured 24 dafter therapy.CONCLUSION:Total parenteral nutrition along withsomatostatin can relieve the symptoms and close the fistulain patients with chylous ascites rapidly.It appears to be aneffective therapy available for the treatment of chylousascites caused by various disorders. AIM: To determine the effects of total parenteral nutrition and somatostatin on patients with chylous ascites. METHODS: Five patients were diagnosed with chylousascites on the basis of laboratory findings of ascites sample from Nov 1999 to May 2003. Total parenteral nutrition and somatostatin or its analogue was administered to 4 the patients, while the other one only received total parenteral nutrition. All of the patients had persistent peritoneal drainage, with the quantity and quality of drainage fluid observed daily. Necessary supportive treatments were given to the patients in- dividually during the therapy .RESULTS: Two of 4 patients who received somatostatintherapy obtained complete recovery within 10 d without of recurrence while on a normal diet. these 2 patients, the peritoneal drainage reduced to zero in one and the other set off from 2000 mL to 80 mL with a clear appearance and negative qualitative analysis of chyle. Recurrent chylousascites, though relieved effectively by the same methodevery t ime, developed in one patient with advanced pancreaticcancer. the other patient’s lymphatic fistula was blockedwith the fibrin glue after conservative treatment. the patientwho only received total parenteral nutrition was cured 24 dafter therapy.CONCLUSION: Total parenteral nutrition along with somatostatin can relieve the symptoms and close the fistulain patients with chylous ascites rapidly. It appears to be aneffective therapy available for the treatment of chylousascites caused by various disorders.