Treatment of ascites by membrane plaamaphresis “PLASMAX” and reinfusion of cellfree a scitic fluid

Abstract

Despite recent advances in diuretic therapy, some patients with cirrhosis resist to the medical treatment and develop intractable ascites. The usual methods for treatment of intractable ascites by reinfusion of ascites to the patient are unable to remove malignant cells. Therefore, the use of the therapeutic modality has been limited only to patients with cirrhosis of the liver. We have developed a new apparatus using membrane plasmaphresis “PLASMAX”. This appararus is able to remove malignant cells and have utilized this in 7 patients with intractable ascites in both malignancy as well as cirrhosis of the liver. Pyrexia occured in some patients, but subsided spontaneously or with administration of the usual ant ipiretics. Gastro-intestinal bleedings, pulmonary edema and severe infection were not observed throughout this treatment. The present study described a new system using membrane plasmaphresis “PLASMAX” for reinfusion of sterilized, cell-free and concentrated ascitc fluid.