Abdominal fluid aspiration and pleural aspiration

If you get a build-up of fluid in your abdomen (ascites), a fine needle can be used to take a sample of fluid to see if it has any cancer cells. 

The needle can be inserted with the help of ultrasound. Some fluid is taken and then examined under a microscope. This procedure can be referred to as paracentesis (“para-sent-tee-sis”).

Your doctor will numb your skin with a local anaesthetic. Once the area is numb, the doctor will insert a needle into your abdomen. The doctor may use an ultrasound or CT scanner to help guide them with the position. 

A sample of the fluid may be sent for analysis. Once the tube is removed, a dressing will be put over the area.

You might feel a little pressure or a prick when the needle goes in. The area might feel a bit tender for a few hours afterwards.

You may feel a little bit sore or have a bruise where the needle went in.

Sometimes you may notice fluid leaking onto the dressing. Contact your hospital team if there is a lot of fluid leaking. 

The sample of cells/fluid will be sent to a laboratory to be examined. It may take a week or 2 to get the results.

With pleural aspiration, a needle is used to take a sample of fluid from the pleural space (cavity) - this is the space between your lungs and chest wall. 

Your doctor will numb your skin with a local anaesthetic.

A fine needle will be put through your skin. The needle is used to take a sample of cells. Your doctor may need to use an ultrasound to guide the needle to the right place.  

You might feel a little pressure or a prick when the needle goes in. The area might feel a bit tender for a few hours afterwards.

You may feel a little bit sore or have a bruise where the needle went in.

The sample of cells/fluid will be sent to a laboratory to be examined. It may take a week or 2 to get the results.