Paracentesis: Definition, Procedure, and Purpose

The medical term for the surgical puncture of the abdomen to remove excess fluid is paracentesis. It is a procedure used to drain fluid that has accumulated in the peritoneal cavity, which is the space between the abdominal organs and the abdominal wall. Paracentesis is performed by inserting a thin needle through the abdominal wall into the peritoneal cavity and then allowing the fluid to drain out through the needle. The fluid is usually sent to a laboratory for analysis to determine the cause of the fluid buildup.