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Peritoneovenous shunt and neoplastic ascites: A 5‐year experience report
Author(s) -
Campioni N.,
Lasagni R. Pasquali,
Vitucci C.,
Filppetti M.,
Spagnoli A.,
Pompei S.,
Romano P.,
Pasqualetti A.,
Sorvillo G.,
Sega F. M.,
Manfredi D.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.2930330109
Subject(s) - medicine , peritoneovenous shunt , ascites , shunt (medical) , surgery , shunting , disseminated intravascular coagulation
The cases of 42 patients with malignant ascites treated with a peritoneal venous shunt over a 5‐year period are reviewed to establish the incidence of surgical and postsurgical complications. Although the yield of malignant cells found in the peripheral blood was increased after shunting, no new hematogenous metastases were observed after the operation. No evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation was observed after shunt placement. While the shunt effectively relieved the discomfort due to abdominal distention and respiratory impairment, no restoration of cutaneous hypersensitivity was observed in the nine patients, who were anergic prior to surgery. The median survival of patients with breast and gynecological cancer, after surgery, was significantly longer than the survival of patients with primary gastrointestinal neoplasma. In conclusion, peritoneal venous shunt appears to be an effective and safe method to improve the quality of life of patients with malignant ascites.