Introduction
In the context of some diseases, even serious diseases, an abnormally increased amount of water in the abdomen can cause further complaints. In order to improve the problem and to obtain diagnostic information about the cause, the water in the abdomen is punctured and drained. The puncture is then examined in the laboratory for certain ingredients and bacteria. Often, water in the abdomen recurs and the puncture is repeated. The most frequent causes of puncture of water in the abdomen are abdominal dropsy, so-called ascites, the drainage of an abscess or inflammation of the peritoneum.
Reasons for puncturing water in the abdomen
Roughly speaking, there are two reasons to puncture water in the abdomen. On the one hand it can be used as a diagnostic measure. In this way, after subsequent analysis of the water obtained, one can draw conclusions about possible causal diseases.
On the other hand, punctures of the water in the abdomen can be used as part of a therapy. Diagnostic punctures of the water in the abdomen are performed when it is unclear why this happened. Also every new case of water in the abdomen should be punctured to exclude other causes.
Furthermore, a connective tissue remodelling of the liver, a so-called liver cirrhosis, can lead to an accumulation of water in the abdomen. If the patient’s condition or liver values deteriorate rapidly, this may be an indication of peritonitis. In this case, a diagnostic puncture of the water in the abdomen should be performed to rule out peritonitis.
Therapeutic punctures of the water in the abdomen serve to relieve the pressure. If too much water has accumulated in the abdomen, severe impairment can occur. After reduction of the water, organs and surrounding tissue are spared and mobility is restored.
In case of an abscess, cirrhosis of the liver or peritonitis, a therapeutic puncture can be performed to remove the focus of the disease. Acute liver damage, a tumor or the occlusion of liver vessels or lymphatic vessels as well as other inflammations in the abdomen can also be the cause of water in the abdomen. A cardiac insufficiency can also be the cause.
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