Abdominal Paracentesis Side Effects and Warnings

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have an abdominal paracentesis, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Accidental piercing of structures in the abdomen

Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Bleeding disorder
• Poor nutrition
• Pregnancy
• Full bladder
• Infection in the area where the paracentesis instrument will be inserted

Be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor before the procedure.

Call Your Doctor

After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills
• Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or fluid from the paracentesis site
• Pain that you cannot control with the medicines you have been given
• Cough, shortness of breath, feeling faint, or chest pain
• Swelling of the abdomen

In case of an emergency, call 911.