Paracentesis

From Anvita Health Wiki

Contents 1 Introduction 2 Indications 3 Contraindications 4 More General Terms 5 Additional Terms 6 References

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

• clinical procedure

Additional Terms

• ascites
• ascitic fluid analysis
• portal hypertension

References

Saunders Manual of Medical Practice, Rakel (ed), WB Saunders, Philadelphia, 1996, pg 367-68

paracentesis