GISAIMS Peritoneo Venous Shunt

The peritoneo-venous shunt has a limited but definite place in the treatment of a patient who has ASCITES which is resistant to medical management. It reduces abdominal girth and weight, improves plasma volume and is associated with an improvement of renal function and a reduction of salt retention. In contrast medical therapy seems to compromise renal function. Although the peritoneo-venous shunt does not prolong life, it does improve its quality. There are complications associated with its use and it should, therefore, be inserted with care.