Which procedure involves needle drainage of fluid from the peritoneal cavity?

• A. Paracentesis
• B. Laparoscopy
• C. Thoracentesis
• D. Percutaneous Drainage

Answer: (A)

Draining fluid from the peritoneal cavity with a needle is paracentesis. This procedure uses a needle (often with a syringe or catheter) to aspirate ascitic fluid from the abdominal space for diagnostic testing or to provide symptomatic relief by removing fluid. It’s typically done with sterile technique and may be guided by ultrasound to accurately access the fluid in the lower abdomen.

This differs from laparoscopy, which involves inserting cameras and instruments into the abdomen for visualization and surgical treatment; thoracentesis, which removes fluid from the pleural space around the lungs; and percutaneous drainage, which targets solid or fluid collections outside the peritoneal cavity and usually uses a catheter to drain rather than just aspirating via a needle.