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Your doctor has scheduled a paracentesis to be done on ______ at _____ ( ) am, ( ) pm.
Upon arrival, please check in at registration before proceeding to Radiology. Before the test, our doctors will explain what will happen, answer any questions, and ask you to sign a consent form.
Paracentesis
Your doctor has found that you have fluid in your abdomen. This could have many causes. We perform a paracentesis by placing a needle or thin, plastic tube into the abdomen to remove the fluid. Taking out the fluid will help you feel better. We will also send the fluid for testing.
Common reasons for a paracentesis include:
Recent fluid build-up.
Trying to diagnose an infection.
Removing fluid to help you feel better and breathe easier.
Getting Ready
Please tell us if you take any medicines that thin your blood such as warfarin, Plavix®, Pradaxa®, Effient®, etc. You will need to stop any injectable blood thinners for some time before and after the test. Talk to your doctor before stopping any medicine.
Tell us if you have allergies to latex or medicines.
What to Expect
The doctor uses an ultrasound (a machine that sends sound waves through the skin and creates images on a TV screen) to locate the fluid. The doctor will clean the skin with soap.
We inject some numbing medicine under the skin. A small needle/catheter system like an IV, but larger, is inserted into the fluid. The fluid is drained out through the tube with a syringe or suction device.
After the numbing medicine wears off, you may feel some pain at the site. It should not be severe, but you may feel sore. We will not prescribe any pain medicines. If you have any pain, we suggest you use Tylenol® or ibuprofen. The pain should go away within the 24 hours.
Activity
You can go back to your normal routine, as you feel able. You should call your local doctor if you begin to have symptoms of fluid build-up again. Sometimes the fluid will build up again, and you may need to repeat the paracentesis.
When to Call
If you feel dizzy, faint, or light-headed.
If your pain around the site gets worse 2-3 days later.
If you are not feeling well and have a fever over 100.4° F (38° C).
If you have redness and swelling around the site.
Who to Call
If you have questions or concerns about your procedure, please call 1-800-323-8942. Tell the operator you were seen in Ultrasound. The operator will then connect you to someone who can help.