Paracentesis
Current as of: November 7, 2018
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Adam Husney, MD – Family Medicine & W. Thomas London, MD – Internal Medicine, Hepatology
Paracentesis is a procedure in which a needle is inserted through the abdominal wall to remove fluid that has built up in the abdominal cavity (ascites). It may be used as a test (diagnostic paracentesis) or as a treatment (therapeutic paracentesis). Paracentesis may be done to: Collect a fluid sample from the abdominal…