VSR 421: Regional Veterinary Surgery (2+1)

ABDOMINOCENTESIS

• Surgical puncture of the abdomen by a needle to withdraw fluid. Abdominocentesis is a procedure in which fluid is removed from the abdomen using a needle.
• It can be done either to obtain fluid for evaluation or to remove large amounts of fluid if it is interfering with the pet's ability to breath.
• Abdominocentesis is indicated any time there is fluid accumulation within the abdomen or if abdominal pain is present.
• Abdominocentesis is commonly performed in the emergency room for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
• Abdominal fluid may develop in association with liver disease, heart failure, traumatic injury, ruptured tumors, ruptured intestines or urinary bladder rupture.

Procedure

• Shave a small area of the abdomen.
• The skin is disinfected with povidone iodine.
• A 22 G 25–37 mm (1–1.5 inch) needle is inserted into the abdomen.
• The left cranial quadrant should be avoided if only a single needle insertion is planned, due to the presence of the highly vascular spleen.
• Fluid collected by abdominocentesis may be permitted to fall freely into tubes for cytology (EDTA) and culture or may be aspirated by attaching a syringe to the needle.
• The intended site of pericardiocentesis is marked and local anaesthesia is infused .
• Analysis of the fluid may be done by laboratory.
• Test results may not be available for up to 3 to 5 days but sometimes, results may be available within a couple of hours.
• The length of time will depend on which tests are necessary.
• Abdominal ultrasonography is useful to identify pockets of fluid.