Why It Is Done

Paracentesis may be done to:

• Find the cause of fluid buildup in the belly.
• Diagnose an infection in the fluid.
• Check for certain types of cancer.
• Remove a large amount of fluid that is causing pain or trouble breathing or that is affecting how the kidneys or the intestines (bowel) are working.

How To Prepare

If you take aspirin or some other blood thinner, ask your doctor if you should stop taking it before your procedure. Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do. These medicines increase the risk of bleeding.

Other blood tests may be done before a paracentesis to make sure that you don't have any bleeding or clotting problems.

How It Is Done

This procedure may be done in your doctor's office, an emergency room, 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 in a vein (intravenous, I.V.) in your arm. It's important to 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, depending on how much fluid is taken out.

How It Feels

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 lightheaded if a large amount of fluid is taken out. Tell your doctor if you don't feel well during the test.

Risks

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, you may be given fluids, medicines, or both in a vein (intravenous, I.V.) in your arm during the paracentesis.

Results

The fluid taken from your belly will be sent to a lab to be tested and looked at under a microscope. Several tests may be done on the fluid. Results will be ready in a few hours.

Normal:

• No infection, cancer, or abnormal values are found.

Abnormal:

• Cell counts. A high number of white blood cells (WBCs) in the fluid may mean that inflammation, infections (peritonitis), or cancer is present.
• Serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG). High protein levels in the fluid may mean cancer, tuberculosis, nephrotic syndrome, or pancreatitis. Low protein levels in the fluid may mean that 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 that infection or cancer is present.
• Cytology. Abnormal cells in the fluid may mean that 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.