Abdominocentesis

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Sections available in full article Introduction, Uses, Alternative techniques, Time required, Decision taking, Requirements, Materials required, Preparation, Procedure, Sequelae, Complications, Reasons for treatment failure, Sources, Publications, Vetstream contributor(s),
Contributors Dr Kyle Braund BVSc MVSc PhD FRCVS DipACVIM
Synonyms Paracentesis

Introduction

  • In normal animal there is minimal peritoneal fluid.
  • If peritoneal fluid is aspirated → pathological quantity present.

Uses

  • Aid in diagnosis of etiology of free peritoneal fluid either palpated or visualized on X-ray.
  • Diagnosis etiology of acute abdomen, for example in cases of ruptured urinary Urethra: rupture or biliary tracts.
  • Therapeutic removal of ascitic fluid in cases refractory to diet or drug treatments.
  • Preliminary step to diagnostic peritoneal lavage .

Advantages

  • Simple.
  • Minimally invasive.
  • Performed in conscious, standing animal.
  • Positive result likely to aid diagnosis.

Disadvantages

  • Limited sensitivity (50%) because of frequent false negative results.
  • Mobility of abdominal contents means needle susceptible to occlusion.

Preparation

  • 5 minutes site preparation.

Requirements

Materials required

Minimum consumables

  • 1-1.5 in, 18-21G needle.
  • Tubes or syringe.

Ideal consumables

  • 1-1.5 in, 18-21G needle open to air.
  • EDTA, glass slides and plain tubes.

Sequelae

Complications

  • Subcutaneous hematoma.
  • Visceral perforation/laceration (especially liver, spleen or tumor).
  • Bacterial contamination of peritoneal cavity.
  • Occasionally fluid may continue to leak from skin wound after needle withdrawn.

Reasons for treatment failure

  • Negative finding common despite presence of fluid in peritoneal cavity.
  • Finding of frank blood or gastrointestinal contents on one sample might be result of perforation of blood vessel or viscera respectively.

Sources

Publications

  • Larkin H A (1994) Veterinary cytology - collection and examination of body cavity fluids in animals. Irish Vet J 47 (5), 211-219.
  • Kolata R J (1976) Diagnostic abdominal paracentesis and lavage - experimental and clinical evaluations in the dog. JAVMA 15 (8), 697-699.
  • Crowe D T et al(1976) Diagnostic abdominal paracentesis and lavage in the evaluation of abdominal injuries in dogs and cats - clinical and experimental investigations. JAVMA 168 (8), 700-705.
  • Barrett R P (1975) A new method of abdominal and thoracic paracentesis in the dog and cat. Vet Med Small Anim Clin 70 (1), 76+78.
  • Scott R C et al(1974) Abdominal paracentesis and cystocentesis. Vet Clin North Am 4 (2), 413-417.

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