Abdominocentesis

Abdominocentesis is the process of inserting a small gauge needle into the abdomen to remove abdominal fluid and obtain a sample for further testing. This quick procedure can be done on an outpatient basis, will not typically require sedation and is usually performed with ultrasound guidance. If excessive abdominal fluid is causing discomfort, abdominocentesis might also be recommended as a palliative treatment to remove a larger volume of fluid.