A twenty-four year retrospective study of dependent catheter paracentesis.
Dependent catheter paracentesis has been used on 590 patients over the last 24 years. The complication rate is zero. It is faster, as accurate, cheaper and less hypersensitive than diagnostic peritoneal lavage. Open, semi-open and closed diagnostic peritoneal lavage when used with trocars is unjustified because of a significant complication rate.
D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity / Q000473:pathology*; D011187:Posture; D011677:Punctures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors