[ASCITES IN HEPATIC CIRRHOSIS: RECOGNITION INVESTIGATIONAND TREATMENT]

Hepatic cirrhosis is the most common cause of ascites. It is caused by liver failure leading to complex interrelated circulatory and renal changes resulting in retention of sodium and water and portal hypertension localising that sodium and water in the peritoneum. Ascites is an important development in cirrhosis as it implies a generally poor long term prognosis. Investigation is important as ascites is not always dueto cirrhosis, may bethe consequence of complications of cirrhosis such as hepatocellular carcinoma, and may be associated with infection which is fatal if untreated. Most patients respond to treatment with sodium restriction and diuretic drugs. This treatment takes time, and increasingly doctors use therapeutic paracentesis with sodium restriction and diuretics to prevent recurrence of ascites. Paracentesis, however, is not without complications, and it is particularly important to give colloid replacement to prevent hypovolaemia which can lead to renal failure. Patients who do not respond to this treatment may be helped by a TIPSS procedure or a peritoneovenous shunt. However, these patients usually have very poor liverfunction and the possibility of fiver transplantation should be considered. Infection is a very serious complication of ascites (spontaneous bacterial peritonitis) and carries a generally poor prognosis.Antibiotic prophylaxis is important to prevent recurrence and liver transpiantation shoulcl be considered.