The Treatment of Cirrhotic Ascites by Combined Hepatic and Portal Decompression

THE problem of the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity in association with cirrhosis of the liver has for many years presented a challenge to the surgeon, since it has always been tempting to consider that the accumulation was due primarily to a problem in hydrodynamics and should be correctable by a mechanical approach.The long history of surgical efforts to divert the fluid from the peritoneal cavity back into the general circulation has been well reviewed.1 Occasional operations achieved transitory improvement, but in general these efforts have met with a signal lack of success — to be sure, . . .