So painful is the
If a puncture of the water in the abdomen is performed, this is usually not painful. Although no general anesthesia is given, no pain is perceived because the surrounding tissue is numb due to local anesthesia. Only the injection with which the local anesthetic is injected can cause slight pain at the beginning. Afterwards, slight pain can also be felt in the area of the canaliculus. In the case of therapeutic punctures, however, the puncture is perceived as a relief, as the pain is reduced by the high water quantity.
Examination of the fluid of the abdominal fluid
As a rule, after the puncture, each abdominal fluid is analyzed by a laboratory to obtain indications of pathological processes or bacteria. For this purpose, a small amount of the abdominal fluid is collected in special vessels. Subsequently, various parameters are determined. Among other things, the cell count, the number or type of bacteria, the inflammation parameters, proteins, electrolytes or tumor markers are determined.
Permanent drainage
If water recurs in the abdomen, a permanent drainage can also be used to avoid repeating the puncture process each time. To do this, the abdominal wall is punctured with a venous cannula or needle, just like a normal puncture. However, there is a tube around the needle, which remains in the abdominal wall after the needle is removed.
It can also be inserted during a minor surgical procedure. The tube, which is also called an indwelling catheter, creates a constant connection from the abdomen to the skin surface. A drainage system with an appropriate vessel or bag to collect the water can now be connected to this tube.However, the permanent connection to the abdominal cavity poses an increased risk of complications.
As an alternative, the abdominal fluid can also be permanently drained into the vessels through a shunt. The indwelling catheter is used to enable permanent drainage of the abdominal fluid in the event of recurring complaints. It is inserted into the abdominal wall as described above and remains there.
It has a valve to regulate the discharge of the water. If necessary, a collection system can be connected to the indwelling catheter.
All articles in this series: