Laparoscopic diagnosis and management of malignant ascites

Malignancy is the second most common cause of ascites. Tissue diagnosis is often difficult because the cytology of ascitic fluid is positive in only 57% of cases. Peritoneovenous shunting is often used as palliation in such patients and has proven superior to nonoperative management for some patients. We present three cases of malignant ascites with negative cytologies managed by using laparoscopic biopsies to confirm intraperitoneal cancer and assist in the placement of a peritoneovenous shunt. Results suggest that exploratory laparoscopy and shunt placement is a valuable procedure in these patients with a limited life expectancy and is preferable to open laparotomy.