Efficacy of extracorporeal ultrafiltration of ascitic fluid as a treatment of refractory ascites.

Background: Refractory ascites is recognized in patients with various conditions. Although intravenous reinjection of ascitic fluid after its filtration and concentration (IRA) is an effective method of treating this condition, many associated side-effects have been reported. We performed extracorporeal ultrafiltration of ascitic fluid (EUA) to demonstrate the efficacy and advantages of this method of treating refractory ascites.