title: Paracentesis of ascitic fluid. A safe procedure.
abstract: A prospective study of 229 abdominal paracenteses performed on 125 patients with ascites revealed only two major complications (transfusion-requiring abdominal wall hematomas) in a single patient (0.9% of paracenteses and 0.8% of patients), and two minor complications (non-transfusion-requiring hematomas) in two patients (0.9% of paracenteses and 1.6% of patients). No paracentesis resulted in bacterial peritonitis or death. Abdominal paracentesis in patients with ascites is a safe procedure. Fear of complications of the procedure should not preclude performing a paracentesis, provided certain precautions are taken.
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles; D001202:Ascitic Fluid; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D006406:Hematoma / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011677:Punctures / Q000009:adverse effects*