Removal of Ascites

A patient with advanced ovarial cancer had dyspnoea and unpleasant swelling of the abdomen caused by ascites. Before the procedure, ultrasonography is used to locate a site from the side of the abdomen at about the level of the umbilicus where a large collection of ascites is found between the abdominal wall and the intestine. After careful cleansing the skin and applying local anaesthesia a needle for suprapubic cystostomy with a balloonless catheter is inserted into the abdominal cavity. The catheter can be left in place for a few hours or even for days or weeks if continuous drainage is needed (but with a risk of peritonitis). For patients with cirrhosis, 100 ml of i.v. albumin is recommended for each litre of ascites removed. If the skin is not too thick and long-term drainage is not needed, a thick infusion cannula lis recommended for ascites removal (video Removal of Ascites Using an Infusion Cannula).

Removal of Ascites