Method and apparatus for the treatment of ascites

摘要

In the method of treating ascites disclosed herein, an intraperitoneal inlet tube is connected to an implanted jugular catheter through a valving unit including a pair of one-way valve units which are connected in series through a flexible intermediate chamber to another pair of one- way valve units. The flexible chamber is surgically secured near the surface of the patient's abdomen or chest, preferably over the sternum, so that, by manual pressure, the patient can periodically deform the conduit thereby to effect pumping of the ascites fluid.