Podcast 708: Diagnostic Paracentesis

<p><strong>Contributor: Peter Bakes, MD</strong></p> <p><strong>Educational Pearls:</strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Paracentesis is a procedure where fluid is removed from the peritoneal cavity by needle</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Indications for paracentesis include: large volume paracentesis (5-6L), diagnosis of transudative or exudative ascites, evaluation for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP)</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Infection of ascitic fluid is more likely in transudative processes due to the increased frequency of paracentesis</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">E coli is the most common pathogen to cause SBP</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Treatment with 3rd generation cephalosporin, like ceftriaxone</span></li> </ul> <p><strong>References</strong></p> <p><a href= "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK435998/"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Aponte EM, Katta S, O'Rourke MC. Paracentesis. [Updated 2020 Sep 9]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK435998/</span></a></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Summarized by John Spartz, MS4 | Edited by Erik Verzemnieks, MD</span></em></p> <p><br /> <br /></p>