A new paracentesis device for ascites and pleural effusions compared with angiocath - a prospective randomized study

Background: Diagnostic or therapeutic paracentesis of ascites or pleural ef fusions is part of the daily routine on many hospital wards and in outpatie nt clinics. In Germany, paracentesis is usually performed with angiocaths. However, the therapeutic large volume paracentesis of ascites and paracente sis of pleural effusions with angiocaths is often cumbersome and quite ofte n paracentesis fails, forcing the physician to repuncture. This is mainly d ue to the fact that angiocaths are not designed for such interventions. Patients and Method: 45 patients with ascites or pleural effusions were tre ated with a new needle specially designed for paracentesis, or with an angi ocath. The new paracentesis needle was compared with the angiocath needle u nder the following aspects: necessity and number of positional corrections of the needle, necessity of and reasons for repuncture, duration of punctur e, flow capacity, subjective practicability of paracentesis and patient acc eptance of the paracentesis needle. Results: The paracentesis needle was superior to the angiocath in all inves tigated respects. Significantly, the paracentesis needle had a much higher success rate in the complete drainage than had the angiocath. Conclusion: The paracentesis needle was objectively superior as compared to the angiocath. It might help to avoid additional complications due to repu ncture and it will increase the patients' comfort.