ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of umbilical compress with anti-cancer Xiaogu formula in managing malignant ascites. Methods A total of 56 patients with malignant ascites who met the inclusion criteria were randomized into 28 patients in the treatment group and 28 patients in the control group. The control group was treated with one type of diuretic, and the treatment group was given umbilical compress using Anti-Cancer Xiaogu formula and diuretics. Both groups were treated for 14 days. The changes of abdominal girth, 24 h urine volume, ascites efficacy, TCM syndrome scores, quality of life and adverse reactions were observed. Results The decrease in the maximum depth difference of the ascites in the treatment group was significantly greater than that of the control group (1.16 ± 1.29 vs. 0.00 ± 1.34, Z=-2.553). The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The decrease in abdominal girth in the treatment group was significantly larger than that in the control group (0.57 ± 0.55 vs. 2.61 ± 0.28, Z=-2.264). The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The in 24-hour urine volume in the treatment group after intervention (-800.18 ± 64.12 vs.-683.57 ± 55.38, Z=-1.770) was no statistically significant (P>0.05). The response rate in the treatment group was 92.9％ (26/28), while that of the control group was 89.3％ (25/28).treatment group was 71.4％, while that of the control group was 35.7％. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The increase in KPS in the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions Anti-cancer Xiaogu umbilical cord combined with diuretic can reduce the degree of malignant ascites, alleviate clinical symptoms, improve quality of life and decrease the occurrence of adverse reactions when used concomitantly with diuretics in the management of malignant ascites.