OBJECTIVE Malignant ascites may produce a cluster of symptoms including abdominal distension, early satiety, respiratory embarrassment, impaired mobility and lethargy. Successful relief of these symptoms is often difficult to attain. We report on the use of peritoneovenous shunting in a group of patients with troublesome malignant ascites with particular reference to the effectiveness and complications of the procedure. METHODS Twenty one Denver peritoneovenous shunts were placed in 19 patients with malignant ascites. The patients included 16 females and three males and had a median age of 54 years. All had previously been treated with vigorous diuretic therapy and/or repeated paracentesis. Shunt insertion was carried out under general anaesthetic in a manner similar to that described by others. RESULTS The procedure was well tolerated by most patients. Median hospital stay was 6 days. One patient died 11 days after her surgery from what was thought to be an unrelated cause. Another patient suffered major problems after shunt insertion from exacerbation of pre-existing pleural effusions. All other complications were minor and self limiting. Two shunts failed to function within the first week. Excellent shunt function with resolution of ascite and of associated symptoms was seen in 16 patients. In five late shunt occlusion occurred with resulting reaccummulation of ascites but in four of these shunt function was able to be restored. Median survival in the 18 patients who survived the procedure was 5.5 months and in 14 of these the shunt was functioning at the time of death with good control of ascites. CONCLUSIONS Malignant ascites can result in very troublesome symptoms for patients who may otherwise have some time to live. Peritoneovenous shunting is a well tolerated relatively minor surgical procedure which can achieve excellent control of ascites in the majority of such patients.