A recent study highlights the critical need to adjust how we identify and manage chyle leak after pancreatic surgery.

• Chyle leak occurred in 11% of patients; risk factors included a minimally invasive approach and maximum drainage volume.
• Patients with high drainage volume (≥300 ml/day) and triglyceride-rich but non-milky drainage faced longer hospital stays (19 days) compared to those with smaller volumes (14 days).

Surgeons should consider triglyceride-rich drainage as clinically relevant, regardless of appearance, for better patient management.