This procedure may be done in your doctor's office, an emergency room, or the X-ray department of a hospital, or at your bedside in the hospital.
You will empty your bladder before the procedure.
If a large amount of fluid is going to be taken out during the procedure, you may lie on your back with your head raised. People who have less fluid taken out may sit up. The site where your doctor will put the needle is cleaned with a special soap and draped with sterile towels.
Your doctor puts a numbing medicine into the skin of your belly. When the area is numb, your doctor will gently and slowly put the paracentesis needle in where the extra fluid is. If your test is done in the X-ray department, an ultrasound may be used to show where the fluid is in your belly.
If fluid is being removed for testing, your doctor will use a syringe to take a sample of fluid.
If there's a large amount of fluid, the paracentesis needle may be hooked by a small tube to a vacuum bottle for the fluid to drain into it. Generally, up to 4 L (1 gal) of fluid is taken out.
If your doctor needs to remove a larger amount of fluid, there is a small chance that your blood pressure could drop to a low level. You may be given fluids through an intravenous line (I.V.) in a vein in your arm. It is important that you lie completely still during the procedure, unless you are asked to change positions to help drain the fluid.
When the fluid has drained, the needle is taken out and a bandage is placed over the site. After the test, your pulse, blood pressure, and temperature are watched for about an hour. You may be weighed and the distance around your belly may be measured before and after the test.
How long the test takes
The procedure may take from a few minutes to 30 minutes or more.
You may feel a brief, sharp sting when the numbing medicine is given. When the paracentesis needle is put into your belly, you may feel a temporary sharp pain or pressure.
You may feel dizzy or light-headed if a large amount of fluid is taken out. Tell your doctor if you do not feel well during the test.
There is a very small chance that the paracentesis needle may injure the bladder, bowel, or a blood vessel in the belly.
There is a very small chance of causing an infection in the belly.
If a large amount of fluid is removed, there is a small chance that your blood pressure could drop to a low level. If this is a concern, I.V. fluids, medicines, or both may be given during the paracentesis.
The fluid taken from your belly will be sent to a lab to be studied and looked at under a microscope. Results will be ready in a few hours.
Paracentesis Normal: | No infection, cancer, or abnormal values are found. |
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Abnormal: | Several tests may be done on the fluid. |
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- Cell counts. A high number of white blood cells (WBCs) in the fluid may mean inflammation, infection (peritonitis), or cancer is present. A high WBC count and a high count of WBCs called polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) may mean there is an infection inside the belly called spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP).
- Serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG). The SAAG compares the level of protein in the fluid to the level of protein in the blood. High protein levels in the fluid may mean cancer, tuberculosis, nephrotic syndrome, or pancreatitis. Low protein levels in the fluid may mean cirrhosis or clots in veins of the liver are present.
- Culture. A culture can be done on the fluid to see whether bacteria or other infectious organisms are present.
- Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). High levels of the enzyme LDH may mean infection or cancer is present.
- Cytology. Abnormal cells in the fluid may mean cancer is present.
- Amylase. High levels of amylase may mean pancreatitis or that there is a hole in the intestine.
- Glucose. Low levels of glucose may mean infection.
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