Preparation for puncture

The basis for a medical intervention is always the conversation. During this conversation, the patient’s complaints and individual prerequisites are to be clarified. The coagulation parameters should always be determined.

A physical examination should also be performed and, if necessary, the hair should be removed. Since the puncture of water in the abdomen is also an invasive procedure, an explanation must always be given to clarify possible risks beforehand. Depending on whether the puncture is performed in hospital or not and whether the symptoms require a timely intervention, either puncture is performed promptly or a further appointment is made. It is recommended to empty the bladder directly before the procedure.

Procedure

Once all preparations are complete, the puncture can be continued. For this, the patient usually lies on a couch in a supine position. In order not to injure any deeper lying, important organs, the doctor now looks for a place on the abdomen where there is no danger of this happening.

This is usually done with the help of an ultrasound device. If such a place is found, it is marked. General anesthesia is not necessary.

However, the skin and deeper layers are anaesthetized with local anaesthetic. Thus, no pain is perceived during the procedure. Since infections are a high risk, the area around the puncture site is disinfected generously.

An indwelling venous cannula can now be inserted into the abdomen and the water can be sucked out. Depending on whether a therapeutic or diagnostic puncture is to be performed, a small or large amount of water in the abdomen is suctioned off. For a diagnostic puncture, the water is collected in a sterile tube. It can then be analyzed in the laboratory. To further prevent infection, the site where the needle was inserted is covered with a sterile drape.

Aftercare and monitoring

In the post-treatment or monitoring of a puncture site for water in the abdomen, intensive care is normally not necessary. To further prevent infections, care should be taken to ensure that the puncture site is sterilely covered and not contaminated by dirt.If necessary, the dressing or plaster should be changed. Redness or pain is a sign of infection.

Care should also be taken to ensure that the puncture site heals well and that no water drips from the abdomen. If this is the case, a tighter bandage or a small suture can be considered. The next day, some blood values are routinely checked by the laboratory.