[Evacuatory paracentesis at home: why not in primary care?].
OBJECTIVE
Study of the complications occurring during the weak after carrying out evacuatory paracentesis at home. To assess the viability of using this technique in primary care (PC).


METHODS
A retrospective observation study.


METHODS
Home Hospital Unit of the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital (Santander).


METHODS
14 patients with chronic hepatopathy or cirrhosis admitted to our unit between 1984 and 1994 and who required evacuatory paracentesis to control their ascites.


RESULTS
Only in 17 of the 90 paracentesis performed was there any kind of complication: 12 cases of high digestive haemorrhage, 10 of hepatic encephalopathy, 3 of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and 2 acute renal failures. There were no complications in 81.11% (73). We found no significant differences between creatinine and sodium in blood pre-paracentesis (1.60 +/- 0.65 mg/dl and 133.07 +/- 4.47 mEq/ml) and post-paracentesis (1.79 +/- 0.83 mg/dl and 132 +/- 4.57 mEq/ml).


CONCLUSIONS
Evacuatory paracentesis is a safe and simple procedure that can be performed in the home and could be assumed by primary-care teams as a part of their scheduled home visits.
Unidad de Hospitalización Domiciliaria, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander.
S
S
Gómara Villabona
M
M
Fernández-Miera
P
P
Sanroma Mendizábal
J
J
Hazas Feo
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001201:Ascites / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019152:Paracentesis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies