A method of supporting venous tubing in the neck to prevent occlusion of peritoneovenous shunts.
Mechanical occlusion of the cervical venous tubing segment of a peritoneojugular shunt may occur because of kinking or angulation. This may be associated with partial or complete shunt failure. In four patients with inadequate palliation of ascites after shunt placement, restricted flow in the cervical tubing was diagnosed as the cause. When a stainless steel helical support was passed over the end of the tubing, angulation was eliminated and extended shunt patency was restored in all four patients. The helical support is recommended for use in patients who have or are at risk for the development of occlusion in the cervical venous tubing portion of the peritoneovenous shunt.
D001201:Ascites / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck; D010536:Peritoneovenous Shunt / Q000379:methods*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*