A STUDY OF DENVER PERITONEOVENOUS SHUNT FOR REFRACTORY ASCITES IN PATIENTS WITH CIRRHOSIS

Abstract

Twenty-one patients with cirrhosis and ascites were studied to investigate the treatment of refractory ascites. Eleven patients had responsive ascites and six had refractory ascites. Despite medical treatment, including administration of diuretics, ascites became uncontrollable in five patients, and these patients underwent placement of a Denver peritoneovenous shunt. Comparison of pre and postoperative values showed significant weight decrease and reduced abdominal circumference. The Denver shunt was of great value in the management of intractable ascites with resultant improvement of quality of life. These results suggest that the Denver shunt is a useful measure for relieving ascites.