ULTRASOUND-guided paracentesis

Paracentesis consists of the percutaneous puncture of the abdomen with a needle to extract the fluid retained in the abdominal cavity by different pathologies. A prick can be performed with a normal needle to extract a small amount of fluid and study its composition (diagnostic paracentesis) or, if it is necessary to remove a lot of fluid (sometimes several liters), it is pricked with a larger needle connected to a bottle through a tube (evacuating paracentesis).

The advantages of an ultrasound-guided paracentesis decrease the risk of complications as well as avoid puncturing the viscera of the abdomen or vascular structures that can be potentially lethal.