Paracentesis is a procedure used to remove fluid from the abdomen. It may be done to test abdominal fluid, relieve pressure from ascites, or help guide care for liver disease, infection concerns, or other causes of fluid buildup.
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Bharat Pothuri, MD, FACG | Updated 06-01-2026
Paracentesis is a procedure that removes fluid from the abdominal cavity. This fluid buildup is called ascites and may occur with liver disease, infection, inflammation, cancer-related conditions, heart failure, kidney disease, or other medical concerns.
The procedure may be used for diagnostic testing, symptom relief, or both. Your care team may send fluid to the lab to check for infection, protein levels, blood cells, or other findings.
Ascites means extra fluid has collected in the abdomen. Paracentesis helps your doctor understand why the fluid is present and may also reduce abdominal pressure when fluid buildup is uncomfortable.
Paracentesis may be recommended when abdominal fluid needs to be tested, drained, or monitored as part of a broader digestive and liver care plan.
Paracentesis can remove abdominal fluid so it can be examined or drained for symptom relief.
Lab testing can help check for infection, inflammation, blood cells, protein levels, or other clues.
Large-volume fluid buildup may cause tightness, bloating, reduced appetite, or breathing discomfort.
Ascites is often linked with liver conditions and may need GI or hepatology review.
New or worsening ascites with fever, pain, confusion, or illness may require urgent evaluation.
Results can help guide medication changes, imaging, specialist follow-up, or additional treatment.
Ultrasound may be used to locate fluid and identify a safer access point before fluid is removed.
Ultrasound helps the care team identify where fluid is present in the abdomen.
Imaging can help choose a site that is appropriate for fluid removal.
Your team may review anatomy, fluid amount, medications, and bleeding risk before the procedure.
Fluid can be collected and sent for lab testing when diagnostic information is needed.
Imaging helps the team understand whether there is enough fluid to drain safely.
Findings may support follow-up testing, medication changes, or liver disease management.
Paracentesis may be diagnostic, therapeutic, or part of follow-up care depending on the reason fluid has built up.
A smaller amount of fluid is removed and tested to help identify infection, inflammation, or the cause of ascites.
A larger amount of fluid may be removed to reduce abdominal pressure, bloating, or breathing discomfort.
Some patients with recurring ascites may need repeated drainage and long-term care planning.
Depending on fluid volume and medical history, your team may review monitoring or supportive treatment.
Diuretics, salt restriction, and liver care may be reviewed based on your diagnosis.
Follow-up may focus on why ascites developed and how to reduce recurrence risk.
No. Ascites is commonly linked with liver disease, but abdominal fluid can also occur with infection, inflammation, cancer-related conditions, heart disease, kidney disease, or other causes. Testing helps clarify the reason.
Talk to a specialist if you have abdominal swelling, tightness, new ascites, liver disease, abnormal imaging, abnormal liver tests, or symptoms such as fever, pain, confusion, or worsening bloating.
Use these next-step pages when you are ready to understand preparation, scheduling, or related liver conditions.
Learn about preparation, ultrasound guidance, fluid drainage, recovery, and result review.
Review appointment, location, insurance, and scheduling details.
Learn how liver conditions can contribute to abdominal fluid buildup.
Review when abdominal swelling or distension may need medical evaluation.
Imaging may help evaluate liver structure and fluid around the abdomen.
Learn how liver stiffness testing may support liver disease evaluation.
Paracentesis is used to drain or test abdominal fluid. Your GastroDoxs care team can review why ascites is present, whether the procedure is appropriate, and what follow-up may be needed after fluid testing or drainage.
| Need procedure-day details? | Review what happens before, during, and after paracentesis, including ultrasound guidance, fluid drainage, testing, recovery, and result review. Read what to expect during paracentesis. |
| Still researching the procedure? | Learn why paracentesis is used and what abdominal fluid testing may help detect before you schedule. Read the paracentesis overview. |
Paracentesis is used to remove fluid from the abdomen. It may be done to test the fluid, relieve pressure from ascites, or support diagnosis and treatment planning.
Fluid testing can help check for infection, inflammation, blood cells, protein levels, or other findings that may explain why ascites developed.
Ultrasound can help locate abdominal fluid and support planning before the fluid is removed.
Yes. Therapeutic paracentesis may remove a larger amount of fluid to reduce tightness, bloating, discomfort, or breathing pressure related to ascites.
Ask a GI doctor if you have ascites, abdominal swelling, liver disease, abnormal imaging, worsening abdominal pressure, or symptoms such as fever, pain, or confusion.