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Review
. 2024 Sep 27;16(9):1245-1257.
doi: 10.4254/wjh.v16.i9.1245.

Drainage of ascites in cirrhosis

Jia-Xing Yang  1 , Yue-Ming Peng  2 , Hao-Tian Zeng  1 , Xi-Min Lin  1 , Zheng-Lei Xu  3
Affiliations
Review

Drainage of ascites in cirrhosis

Jia-Xing Yang et al. World J Hepatol. .

Abstract

For cirrhotic refractory ascites, diuretics combined with albumin and vasoactive drugs are the first-line choice for ascites management. However, their therapeutic effects are limited, and most refractory ascites do not respond to medication treatment, necessitating consideration of drainage or surgical interventions. Consequently, numerous drainage methods for cirrhotic ascites have emerged, including large-volume paracentesis, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, peritoneovenous shunt, automated low-flow ascites pump, cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy, and peritoneal catheter drainage. This review introduces the advantages and disadvantages of these methods in different aspects, as well as indications and contraindications for this disease.

Keywords: Automated low-flow ascites pump; Cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy; Large-volume paracentesis; Liver cirrhosis ascites; Peritoneal catheter drainage; Peritoneovenous shunt; Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic diagram of large-volume paracentesis.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. Establishing an artificial shunt between the hepatic vein and portal vein.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Schematic presentation of the automated low-flow ascites pump system. Ascitic fluid is aspirated through a catheter placed into the abdominal cavity and further transported into the bladder through a subcutaneous catheter. The battery-driven pump is implanted in the right middle quadrant of the abdomen.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Schematic illustration of the concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy process.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Peritoneal catheterization for the drainage of ascites.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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