What Is Paracentesis?
A paracentesis is a minimally invasive procedure performed by Dr. Apo to drain excess fluid (ascites) from your abdomen and, if needed, analyze the fluid to find the cause.
How it works:
Under local anesthesia and ultrasound guidance, a thin needle and catheter are inserted into the peritoneal cavity to remove fluid safely.
Who Is It For?
Ideal for individuals experiencing:
- Ascites due to liver cirrhosis, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, cancer, or infection
- Symptoms like belly pressure, swelling, breathing difficulty, or unexplained abdominal pain
Key Benefits:
- Reduces abdominal discomfort, bloating, and shortness of breath
- Enables fluid testing to diagnose infections, cancer, or other causes
- Provides rapid symptom relief and outpatient convenience
Common Uses:
- Diagnostic: infection screening (e.g. spontaneous bacterial peritonitis), cancer detection, determining fluid cause
- Therapeutic: easing pressure from large-volume ascites (eg, removing 5 L+ of fluid)