SUNG HEE Park MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Jong Yun Won MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Kwang-Hun Lee MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Seung Hyoung Kim MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Do Yun Lee MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate the usefulness of percutaneously placed peritoneovenous shunt (Denver shunt) in patients with benign and malignant ascites.

Under the fluoroscope and ultrasound guidance, we placed peritoneovenous shunt (Denver shunt) in forty-three patients (M: F=30:13, mean age 53 years) with refractory ascites and symptomatic abdominal distension. The etiology of ascites was: liver cirrhosis (n= 27), carcinomatosis (n=14), and idiopathic (n=2). We retrospectively evaluated technical feasibility, the shunt patency, complications and clinical outcomes of each patient.

Technical success rate was 100 % and there was one patient (2 %) of procedure related mortality. Symptomatic improvement was achieved in all patients. Six cases (14%) of complications occurred: four with disseminated intravascular coagulopathy and two with venous thrombosis. Thirty-one patients died of underlying disease 2 to 690 days after the procedure (mean 117 days) and their life time shunt patency was 84 %. Eleven patients are still alive for 60 to 1200 days with 64 % of shunt patency. Overall, the mean period of shunt maintenance was 193 days (2-621 days). There was no statistical difference of maintenance period between two groups with benign and malignant ascites.

Percutaneous placement of peritoneovenous shunt was technically feasible and effective for symptomatic relieve of refractory ascites.

Park, S, Won, J, Lee, K, Kim, S, Lee, D, Percutaneous Placement of Peritoneovenous Shunt for the Treatment of Refractory Ascites.  Radiological Society of North America 2005 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 27 - December 2, 2005 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2005/4417246.html