Skip to main content More Search Options A member of our team
will call you back within one business day. Your doctor
recommends that you have paracentesis to remove excess fluid
from your abdomen (belly). The procedure involves the use of a
needle to drain the fluid. A small sample of fluid may be taken
and tested for problems. If the fluid buildup is causing
discomfort or pain, all of the fluid may be drained. To do this,
a tube is attached to the needle. The fluid is drained into a
container that sits outside of the body. If symptoms are severe,
paracentesis may be done as an emergency procedure. Otherwise,
it will be scheduled ahead of time. Read on to learn more about
paracentesis and how it works. Many of the body’s organs,
including the liver and intestines, are inside the abdomen. The
organs are covered in a thin membrane called the peritoneum. The
peritoneum has two layers. The membrane makes a fluid that
allows the layers to glide smoothly past each other. If this
fluid builds up in the abdomen, the