[Pleuroperitoneal shunt in the treatment of pleural effusion associated with cirrhosis].

Some patients with unbalanced hepatic cirrhosis may develop a recidivant pleural leakage resulting in relevant gas interchange disorders. In the treatment of recidivant pleural leakage, evacuative thoracocentesis and pleurodesis may be used. If these procedures fail, pleurectomy or surgery may be used, although with relevant morbidity and mortality rates. Another option, used mainly for malignant leakages, is the placement of a pleuroperitoneal shunt. We present the case of a patient with recidivant pleural leakage associated to hepatic cirrhosis, in which after the failure of paracentesis and pleurodesis, a pleuroperitoneal shunt was successfully inserted. The pleuroperitoneal shunt may be a therapeutical alternative in the recidivant pleural leakage associated to cirrhosis.