Persistent hepatic hydrothorax after peritoneojugular shunt

Hepatic hydrothorax causes serious respiratory morbidity and is difficult to cure. Evacuation of ascites via peritoneojugular shunt should eliminate the source of the pleural fluid. However, this technique is not infallible. Obtaining pleurodesis by chemical or mechanical means may be necessary. Two cases were successfully treated with pleurectomy and tube thoracostomy, respectively.