Paracentesis

Paracentesis is a fairly simple procedure that can be done in an outpatient clinic or on a hospital bed. The abdominal skin where the needle will enter is numbed with local anesthetic sprays or needles. While the fluid is draining, the patient feels an increasingly great relief and ease of breathing, not pain.

Paracentesis does not treat the underlying disease causing the formation of ascites (for example, cirrhosis), it relieves the symptom (bloating). Unless the underlying disease is treated or diet (salt restriction) rules are followed, it is highly likely that the fluid will accumulate again within weeks or months.

The fluid is not only drained (therapeutic), but a small sample is also taken (diagnostic paracentesis) and sent to the laboratory. In this way, it is investigated whether there is an infection (SBP) or cancer cells in the fluid.