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Abdominal Paracentesis
What is Abdominal Paracentesis ? What yout should know
Abdominal paracentesis is a procedure that removes abnormal fluid buildup in your abdomen called ascites. Your abdomen is a cavity (space) that holds many organs, such as your stomach, intestines (bowels), and liver. Liver diseases, such as cirrhosis (scarring and swelling of the liver), are the most common causes of ascites. Other causes of ascites include cancer, heart failure, kidney disease, tuberculosis, and problems with your pancreas. Ascites may cause you to have stomach or chest pain, discomfort, and shortness of breath. You may have nausea (upset stomach) and vomiting (throwing up), and you may not feel like eating. The fluid buildup may make it hard for you to move around.
During abdominal paracentesis, a needle is inserted into your abdomen to drain the ascites fluid. To learn the cause of your ascites, your caregiver may remove a small amount of the fluid for tests. To treat your symptoms, your caregiver may remove most, or all of the fluid from your abdomen. Abdominal paracentesis may help you and your caregiver learn the cause of your ascites and choose the best treatment. Abdominal paracentesis may improve your symptoms, such as stomach pain and shortness of breath. Abdominal paracentesis may help you move better and return to your daily activities.
Care Agreement ( Abdominal Paracentesis )
You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.
Risk Faktor ( Abdominal Paracentesis )
During abdominal paracentesis, the needle may damage your abdominal organs or blood vessels. After abdominal paracentesis, you may bleed, or remaining ascites fluid may leak out from your wound. You may get an infection in your wound, or in the lining of your abdomen. If a large amount of fluid is removed during your procedure, your blood pressure may become very low. Very low blood pressure may decrease blood flow in your body and make you dizzy or short of breath. You may get a blood clot in your abdomen or lungs. A blood clot in your lungs can cause chest pain and trouble breathing, and can be life-threatening. Even with abdominal paracentesis, your kidney or liver function may not improve. Ascites fluid may build up again, and you may need another abdominal paracentesis.
If you do not have an abdominal paracentesis, your symptoms may get worse. You may feel short of breath, have abdominal and chest pain, and have trouble moving around. You may not learn why fluid is building up in your abdomen. You may not get proper treatment. You may have bleeding inside your stomach or bowels. Your kidneys may stop working, and your liver problems may get worse. The fluid inside your abdomen may get infected and cause abdominal pain and tiredness. An infection may become life-threatening and you may die. Talk with your caregiver if you have questions or concerns about your Abdominal Paracentesis procedure, condition, or care.
