Malignant ascites. A comparison of peritoneovenous shunting and nonoperative management.
BACKGROUND
Effective palliation of malignant ascites remains a difficult management problem.


METHODS
Eighty-five patients with malignant ascites were studied. Forty-two patients had peritoneovenous shunts (PVS) inserted (16 LeVeen, 17 single-valve Denver, 9 double-valve Denver).


RESULTS
Shunt patency was not related to the type of shunt, type of cancer, or any characteristic of the ascitic fluid. Ascites was controlled in 64% of patients with shunts and serum albumin levels were preserved. Survival and quality of life were not significantly different in comparison with those of patients treated by abdominal paracentesis.


CONCLUSIONS
PVS allowed many patients to be treated successfully outside the hospital and are indicated in carefully selected cases.
Gough
I R
IR
Department of Surgery, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Australia.
Balderson
G A
GA
D000005:Abdomen; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001201:Ascites / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery*; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005337:Fibrin / Q000378:metabolism; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D010166:Palliative Care; D010536:Peritoneovenous Shunt; D013396:Suction
D004232:Diuretics; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D004317:Doxorubicin; D005337:Fibrin