Alleviation of Postshunt Coagulopathy after Peritoneovenous Shunting by Peritoneal Cleansing with Massive Saline Containing Heparin

Abstract

Peritoneovenous shunt operation is a convenient therapy for intractable ascites. However, it accompanies postshunt coagulopathy, that sometimes leads to poor prognosis. We have attempted to alleviate this complication by preoperative cleansing of abdominal cavity using 5l of saline containing 5000 U of heparin. Serial determination of coagulation markers suggests that this new approach is effective to prevent the coagulation abnormality.