Paracentesis
From Anvita Health Wiki
Contents |
Introduction
- An invasive procedure consisting of insertion of a needle through the abdominal wall into the peritoneal cavity for the purpose of removing ascitic fluid for diagnostic or therapeutic reasons.
Indications
- ascitic fluid analysis to establish etiology of ascites
- diagnosis of peritonitis:
- 25% of patients admitted to the hospital have evidence of peritonitis
- laparoscopy with histologic analysis of biopsy specimens is more sensitive for tuberculous peritonitis
- therapeutic removal of ascites fluid
- dyspnea secondary to abdominal distention
- pain secondary to abdominal distention
Contraindications
- underlying coagulopathy is rarely a contraindication
- no data to support prophylactic fresh frozen plasma
More General Terms
Additional Terms
References
Saunders Manual of Medical Practice, Rakel (ed), WB Saunders, Philadelphia, 1996, pg 367-68
