Complications of Denver Peritoneovenous Shunting

Abstract

The records of 49 consecutive patients treated with Denver peritoneovenous shunts were reviewed to determine the incidence of complications and length of patient survival. Thirty-eight complications (16 types) were identified in 22 (45%) of the patients and, in 10 instances, contributed to subsequent death. Ten percent of shunts failed during long-term follow-up. The 54% one-year survival by life-table analysis of patients with cirrhosis treated with the Denver shunt matched results previously reported for similar patients treated with the LeVeen shunt. Patients with intra-abdominal malignant neoplasms had an 11% one-year survival overall. Although it too is associated with significant complications, the Denver peritoneovenous shunt seems to have a lower failure rate and a lower incidence of complications than the LeVeen peritoneovenous shunt. Thus, the Denver shunt offers advantages in the treatment of intractable ascites.