Peritoneal ports for treatment of intractable ascites

To present clinical data for a new peritoneal port for minimally invasive treatment of intractable ascites that can be used for aspiration in a patient's home.

Twenty-eight consecutive peritoneal ports were placed in 27 patients with intractable ascites. Ascites etiology was malignancy in 22 patients, cirrhosis in three, pancreatic duct injury in one, and unknown in one. Technical and clinical success and complications were evaluated until the time of death or the end of the study.

All ports were inserted successfully with removal of all ascites, and all patients had immediate and complete symptom relief. Ascites was managed by periodic drainage, typically by a visiting nurse in the patient's home. The long-term clinical success rate was 96%, with 26 of 27 patients exhibiting maintained relief of symptoms until death or the end of the study. The long-term patency rate was 100% after 1,810 patient-days. Only one patient (4%) had a major complication. This was a port leak that required port exchange. Subsequently, the patient developed bacterial peritonitis.

Peritoneal ports appear to be a safe, effective, minimally invasive treatment for intractable ascites. This device allows for reliable ascites aspiration in the patient's home.