Paracentesis - The Most Important Thing Is the Ultrasound Machine

The most important thing is the ultrasound machine and your skill. Some of our brethren are reluctant to undertake this procedure. I don't know why it's typically like hitting the side of a barn with a snowball. They come in with a beach ball belly. This is so distended. And one thing I've started doing recently is using an 18 gauge rectus sheath rather than an actual pigtail catheter. It was quite amazing how much fluid came out that didn't block up either.