Your doctor can put a small tube into the abdomen to drain off the fluid. This reduces the swelling and makes you feel more comfortable. It's called abdominal paracentesis (pronounced para-sen-tee-sis) or an ascitic tap (pronounced ass-it-ic tap). Draining the fluid relieves symptoms in 90 out of 100 people (90%).
increased tiredness during, or in the days after, the procedure. discomfort during the procedure. leakage of fluid from the drain site after it's removed.
It usually takes between 5 and 15 minutes. When the fluid stops draining you remove the bottle and put a cap over the end of the tube.
It is recommended that the drainage frequency not exceed three times per week.
You can do your normal activities after the procedure, unless your doctor tells you not to. After the procedure, you may have some clear fluid draining from the site, especially if a large amount of fluid was taken out. There will be less drainage in 1 to 2 days.
Performing a paracentesis will help determine the etiology of a patient's ascites. Draining the peritoneal fluid may help identify infection, causes of liver disease or portal hypertension and also relieve symptoms by removing a large volume of fluid.
Ascitic fluid can accumulate as a transudate or an exudate. Amounts of up to 35 liters are possible. Roughly, transudates are a result of increased pressure in the hepatic portal vein (>8 mmHg, usually around 20 mmHg (e.g., due to cirrhosis), while exudates are actively secreted fluid due to inflammation or malignancy.
3) Severe ascites (grade 3) causes abdominal distension accompanied by flattening of the umbilicus or umbilical hernia. Dyspnea indicates that the peritoneal fluid volume is large, up to ~5 to 15 L.
Ascites can be detected on physical examination using traditional shifting dullness to percussion when there is approximately 500 ml of fluid.
This can provide immediate relief, though fluid can return, often in days to weeks.
Having a tube to drain the fluid (paracentesis)
This reduces the swelling and makes you feel more comfortable. It's called abdominal paracentesis (pronounced para-sen-tee-sis) or an ascitic tap (pronounced ass-it-ic tap). Draining the fluid relieves symptoms in 90 out of 100 people (90%).
Ascites may go away with a low salt diet, and with diuretics (water pills) ordered by your provider. But sometimes a provider must drain the fluid from the belly using a special needle. View our Ascites Patient Fact Sheet for more information.
Ascites can lead to: Abdominal problems: The fluid buildup may lead to pain, discomfort and difficulty breathing. These symptoms can interfere with your ability to eat, walk and do daily activities. Infection: The fluids can become infected, called spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.
Your doctor puts local anaesthetic on the skin to numb the area. Then they put a needle into your abdomen to take a sample of fluid. They use an ultrasound scan to guide them. This can be uncomfortable but isn't usually painful.
A person with ascites may also have a distended abdomen, which is hard and swollen. They may also experience rapid changes in weight and body shape.
Ascites is the main complication of cirrhosis,3 and the mean time period to its development is approximately 10 years. Ascites is a landmark in the progression into the decompensated phase of cirrhosis and is associated with a poor prognosis and quality of life; mortality is estimated to be 50% in 2 years.
Stage 3: Cirrhosis
During this stage of disease, symptoms become more noticeable: pain and discomfort, fatigue, appetite loss, fluid retention, jaundice, and an itchy feeling around the liver.
One litre of ascites weighs about 2.2 pounds (1 kg).
Complications may include: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (a life-threatening infection of the ascitic fluid) Hepatorenal syndrome (kidney failure) Weight loss and protein malnutrition.
Ascites is a condition in which fluid collects in spaces within your abdomen. If severe, ascites may be painful. The problem may keep you from moving around comfortably. Ascites can set the stage for an infection in your abdomen. Fluid may also move into your chest and surround your lungs.
Some people need a paracentesis only once. Others need one every week or 2. Your healthcare team will work with you to decide how often is best for you.
Therapeutic paracentesis
Complications include peritonitis, pulmonary emboli, and hypotension. Repeated large-volume paracentesis without plasma volume expansion is associated with a significantly higher incidence of hypotension and renal impairment.
Often, the fluid buildup will come back after a paracentesis procedure. Your health care team may decide to do another paracentesis procedure or they may decide to use a catheter.
Paracentesis is a bedside procedure that utilizes a needle that enters the peritoneal cavity to help retrieve the fluid of interest. Symptom control during a therapeutic paracentesis can often be achieved with removal of 1–5 L of fluid.