Paracentesis is a medical procedure that doctors perform to drain fluid from a person’s abdominal cavity. It is sometimes called an abdominal tap. Doctors refer to this buildup of fluid as ascites, ...

Large-volume paracentesis is a treatment used to remove excess fluid in the abdominal cavity resulting from such conditions as cirrhosis of the liver or cardiac failure. It is normally performed as an ...

Awaiting both kidney and liver transplants last year, Larry Pritchard suffered from fluid build-up so severe it sometimes leaked from the skin on his stomach. The condition required a procedure known ...