Summary Twenty patients with malignant ascites were treated by insertion of a peritoneovenous shunt. Twelve had a Le Veen shunt, 7 a Denver shunt and 1 patient had a Le Veen shunt subsequently replaced by a Denver shunt. Overall survival was poor, which reflects the advanced stage of the patients' disease. Function of the Denver shunt seemed to be better than that of the Le Veen shunt, None of the 8 Denver shunts inserted was a complete failure, while 4 out of 13 Le Veen shunts were of no benefit. With a satisfactorily functioning shunt, good palliation was always achieved. A Denver shunt has become our first choice.