The demise and resurrection of large paracenteses
Joan Rodés – 1 September 1988 – To investigate the usefulness of paracentesis as an alternative treatment for ascites, 41 cirrhotic patients with ‘tense’ ascites were randomly assigned to treatment with either repeated paracenteses plus i.v. albumin infusion (n=20) or diuretics (n=21). Satisfactory mobilization of ascites was obtained with paracentesis in all but one case and with diuretics in all but two cases. Ascites disappeared within 3 or 4 days with paracentesis, but only after 15 days with diuretics.