Malposition of venous end of Le Veen shunt: a preventable complication

The Le Veen peritoneovenous shunt for the treatment of refractory ascites is a useful adjunct in the management of these cases. For proper shunt function the venous end of the shunt must lie within the superior vena cava. This case report illustrates how an unsuspected malposition of the venous end of the shunt was discovered and documented. An alternate means of inserting the venous end of the Le Veen shunt that will guarantee that it lies in the superior vena cava is suggested.