Paracentesis
Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, along with certain other medical conditions, can cause an accumulation of fluid between the lining of the abdominal wall (parietal
peritoneum) and the lining of the abdominal organs (visceral peritoneum). The resulting condition is known as ascites (1).
Symptoms of ascites usually only manifest when the amount of fluid accumulation is large. These symptoms include rapid weight gain, abdominal discomfort and distention, shortness of breath (dyspnea), and swollen ankles (2).
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Paracentesis is a procedure to
treat ascites, and involves draining the fluid through a needle. The procedure usually begins with an ultrasound scan so that the physician can mark the spot to insert the needle and gauge how far past the skin the needle should be positioned. The procedure is done under local anesthetic. The physician may make a small incision in the abdomen to ease the process of inserting the needle. The needle is then inserted into the abdomen, and the fluid is drained into a large container. The patient's blood pressure is observed throughout the drainage process, as draining may result in a drop in blood pressure. Complications from paracentesis are rare (3).