Palliation of malignant ascites by the LeVeen peritoneo-venous shunt.

A LeVeen peritoneo-venous shunt was placed in each of 5 patients under local anesthesia to relieve symptomatic malignant ascites. All patients had marked ascites due to histologically documented intraabdominal carcinomatosis, extensive hepatic neoplasm, or a combination of malignant ascites and severe parenchymal liver disease. Cases included metastatic breast carcinoma, pancreatic carcinoma, melanoma, and primary cholangiocarcinoma. Prompt relief of respiratory distress and discomfort associated with tense ascites was achieved in all patients; however, survival was short (one week to seven months) due to advanced disease. The LeVeen shunt can provide effective palliation of malignant ascites in carefully selected symptomatic patients.