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Digestive Disease Interventions 2017; 01(04): 259-264
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1621701
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA

Refractory Ascites: Treatment and Complications Utilizing Peritoneovenous (Denver) Shunt

Parvaneh Shadkam-Farrokhi
1   Division of Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, UCLA Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
,
Edward Wolfgang Lee
1   Division of Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, UCLA Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
2   UCLA Medical Center, UCLA Pfleger Liver Institute, Los Angeles, California
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

03 December 2017

07 December 2017

Publication Date:
19 January 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Intractable ascites has long been an antagonizing problem for patients and medical providers. It is debilitating and frequently cannot be prevented by standard medical therapy. Ascites is primarily managed with salt restrictions, diuretics, and repeated paracentesis for symptomatic relief. However, 10% of patients become refractory to this first line of treatment. Several surgical methods such as the insertion of peritoneovenous shunts and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts have become popularized treatment modalities for the control of refractory ascites. Nevertheless, controversy resides over what is the best treatment method for the improvement in patients' quality of life and survival rate. We herein explore the different medical and surgical methods available for the control of refractory ascites with a focus on the advantages and complications associated with the usage of Denver peritoneovenous shunts.

Keywords

Denver shunt - peritoneovenous shunt - TIPS - complications

Note

The first author, Parvaneh Shadkam-Farrokhi is a trainee of Dr. Edward W. Lee.