Current status of the peritoneovenous shunt for the management of intractable ascites.
Renewed interest in the management of intractable ascites has led to the use of a peritoneovenous shunt for its control. Analysis of Canadian experience with this technique in the last 2 years has demonstrated that there are problems associated with it that have not been reported in the surgical literature. A group of 60 patients who underwent peritoneovenous shunting at several Canadian centres was analysed. The operative mortality was 20% but was related to the underlying disease rather than to the operative procedure. Although the initial response to shunting was excellent in 53%, long-term patency (more than 3 months) was achieved in only 43%, but the procedure greatly improved the quality of life in those patients. The indications for shunting, the complications, results and cumulative patency rates are discussed.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001201:Ascites / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D001955:British Columbia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011788:Quality of Life; D014680:Veins / Q000601:surgery*