Our experience with saphenoperitoneal shunt for patients with refractory ascites

Background: In 1992, Pang and colleagues described their ingenious method for the management of patients with refractory ascites: a 15cm proximal segment of the long saphenous vein (VSM) curved up to the abdominal wall through a subcutaneous tunnel is directly anastomosed to the peritoneum. This technique employs the inflow valves of VSM as a biological valve system for creating a unidirectional route for ascites flow. This procedure reduces significantly the need for diuretics and the number of the repeated paracentesis. Employing autologous vein is a cost saving method that eliminates the complications of the…