nutch_noindex
Search Icon
    Menu Button
    Stanford Children's Health
    DonateContactMyChart LoginFind a Doctor
    • Second Opinion
    • Donate
    • Contact
    • Refer a Patient
    • En Español
    • Our Locations
    • Medical Services
    • About Us
    • Research & Innovation
    • Patients & Visitors
    • For Health Professionals
    • Second Opinion
    • Donate
    • En Español
    • MyChart Login
    • Recently Visited
      • Our Locations
      • Medical Services
      • About Us
      • Research & Innovation
      • Patients & Visitors
      • For Health Professionals
      CANCEL
      • View More Results

      Loading...

      COVID-2019 Alert

      Information about the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. Read the latest >

      Información sobre el coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Aprenda más >

      /nutch_noindex

       


      Abdominal drainage (paracentesis)

      Abdominal drainage is a procedure to drain fluid (ascites) from the abdomen. The build-up of fluid in the abdomen could be caused by several things including inflammation, infection and traumatic injury. and others.

      The procedure

      After numbing the skin, a small needle will be directed into the fluid using ultrasound, which allows the radiologist to follow the path of the needle and to see the fluid in the abdomen. The fluid will then be removed through this small needle. The doctor will send a sample of the abdominal fluid to the laboratory.

      If the fluid comes back, or multiple drainage procedures are needed, the doctor can place a small catheter into the abdomen using ultrasound and live X-ray (fluoroscopy) for guidance.

      Anesthesia

      Younger patients are usually given intravenous sedation so they aren’t awake during the procedure. If the child is older or has medical problems that prevent us from giving IV sedation, only local numbing medicine will be used.

      Risks

      The procedure is considered low-risk. However, potential complications (<1%) may include:

      • bleeding
      • infection
      • bowel perforation
      • injury to surrounding structures

      Pain

      Some children feel pain or discomfort at the needle insertion site, usually in the first day or two after the procedure. Over-the-counter pain medication should provide relief.

      Bathing after the procedure

      A bandage will be placed over the site.After 48 hours you may remove the bandage, and your child can shower or take a bath as usual.

      If a drainage catheter was placed, bandaging on the site will stay in place; and you may sponge-bathe your child, as long as you keep the site dry.

      Activity restrictions

      Normal activity can resume in one or two days if a drainage was performed. If a catheter was inserted then avoiding activities, such as rough playing or contact sports, is advised to avoid dislodging the catheter.

      Related Topics

      • Neurological Exam for Children
      • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

      Related Links

      • Interventional Radiology
      • Preparing for your Interventional Radiology Visit
      nutch_noindex
      • About Us
      • Contact
      • MyChart Login
      • Careers
      • Blog
      • Refer a Patient
      • Download from App Store Download From Google Play
      • Notice of Nondiscrimination
      • Terms of Use
      • Privacy Policy
      • Code of Conduct

      © 2021 Stanford Children's Health

      About

      • About Us
      • Our Hospital
      • Patient Stories
      • Blog
      • News
      • Send a Greeting Card
      • New Hospital
      • Careers

      Connect

      • Donate
      • Refer a Patient
      • Contact Us
      • Pay Your Bill

      Find

      • Doctors
      • Locations
      • Services
      • Classes
      Download from App Store Download From Google Play

      Also Find Us on:

      • facebook
      • twitter
      • youtube
      • linkedin
      US News & World Report Badge
      • Stanford Medicine
      • Stanford University
      • Stanford Health Care
      • Lucile Packard Foundation
      • Notice of Nondiscrimination
      • Terms of Use
      • Privacy Policy
      • Code of Conduct
      • © 2021 Stanford Children's Health
      /nutch_noindex