[The LeVeen peritoneovenous shunt--an alternative in therapy-resistant ascites]

6 patients with therapy resistant ascites underwent implantation of a Le-Veen shunt. The risk of infection in this procedure is low, the surgical technique can easily be handled. In all 6 patients a significant reduction of the ascites could be demonstrated. Postoperatively, a right ventricular insufficiency could be observed in every case and, in addition, there were imbalances of the water and electrolyte metabolism Disseminated intravascular coagulation could not be traced.