Complications of abdominal paracentesis

Leak of ascitic fluid	5 percent
Severe hemorrhage	0 to 0.97 percent
Infection due to paracentesis	0.58 to 0.63 percent
Death associated with paracentesis	0 to 0.39 percent

Data from:

de Gottardi A, Thevenot T, Spahr L, et al. Risk of complications after abdominal paracentesis in cirrhotic patients: a prospective study. Clin Hep Gastro 2009; 7:906.
Grabau CM, Crago SF, Hoff LK, et al. Performance standards for therapeutic abdominal paracentesis. Hepatology 2004; 40:484.
McVay PA, Toy PTCY. Lack of increased bleeding after paracentesis and thoracentesis in patients with mild coagulation abnormalities. Transfusion 1991; 31:164.
Pache I, Bilodeau M. Severe haemorrhage following abdominal paracentesis for ascites in patients with liver disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2005; 21:525.
Runyon BA, Canawati HN, Akriviadis EA. Optimization of ascitic fluid culture technique. Gastroenterology 1988; 95:1351.
Runyon BA. Paracentesis of ascitic fluid: a safe procedure. Arch Intern Med 1986; 146:2259.

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