Abstract
Aim : Malignant ascites in patients with carcinomatous peritonitis is often resistant to medical treatment. Symptoms of ascites result in progressive deterioration of quality of life. A retrospective study was performed to clarify the safety and efficacy of Denver peritoneovenous shunts in malignant ascites.
Patients and Methods : A total of 29 patients with malignant ascites were retrospectively evaluated for clinical factors.
Results : Sites of primary tumors were pancreatic cancer in 15 patients, bile duct cancer in 6 patients, gallbladder cancer in 5 patients, breast cancer in 2 patients, and peritoneal malignant mesothelioma in 1 patient. Palliation of abdominal distension was achieved in 24 patients (85.7%). Postoperative complications of grade 2 or higher were seen in 12 patients (41.4%), with grade 5 in 3 patients (10.3%). Median survival time was 47 (range, 0-291) days.
Conclusions : The Denver peritoneovenous shunt is technically feasible and effective for palliating the symptoms of malignant ascites, but perioperative death and prognosis of less than a month were seen. The indications for Denver peritoneovenous shunts must be considered carefully.
