[Peritoneo-saphenous shunt for the treatment of ascites]

The life quality of the patient suffering from hepatic cirrhosis is affected by ascites refractory to drugs treatment. In the last 30 years, in the ascites treatment there were performed peritoneo-jugular shunts through synthetic prosthesis with unidirectional valve-LeVeen, Denver. The siliconated prostheses are expensive and in the process of time complications are registered consisting of clogged valve or obstruction, requiring thus their replacement. The unidirectional drainage of the ascites can also be performed through peritoneo-saphenous shunt. In our clinic, the peritoneo-saphenous shunt was applied for the first time in 2004, in three patients with hepatic cirrhosis with ascites refractory to drugs treatment. The postsurgical evolution was favourable, a gradual increase of diuresis and reduction of abdominal diameter being registered in all the three cases.

the peritoneo-saphenous shunt is a simple procedure, it does not require special devices and it can be applied with success in the treatment of refractory ascites.