Strategies for intractable ascites after hepatic resection: analysis of two cases

Intractable ascites after hepatic resection is one of the gravest complications pertaining to deterioration in a patient's quality of life. Two cases are presented with intractable ascites that did not respond to ordinary conservative treatment after hepatic resection but were eventually successfully treated. The authors propose the following strategies: the conducting of aggressive and extensive examinations including angiography; and a peritoneovenous shunt for patients demonstrating no definite cause, to improve their quality of life.