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Paracentesis done today.....

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Posted 7/1/2011 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hey everybody...
My husband had his paracentesis done this morning...They drained 5 liters of fluid. He said it was a yellow color at first and then looked milky. On the Doctor's order sheet, he wrote that he wanted the fluid tested for Cell count, cytology, gram stain, culture and sensitivity, protein, WBC, and ascites albumin. I know that they normally test for 2 or 3 things if they don't suspect anything, but will do in depth more if they do. Do you think these are the normal things he is checking, or do you think he suspects cancer? Also, we got home and he was nauseated and is running a 99.1 temp. He is in bed now resting...They told me to watch for fever and signs of infection. Is 99.1 a temp to be concerned about or is that normal?
This is our first one so I'm not sure what to expect...
Thanks for any info you can share on this......
Posted 7/1/2011 9:58 PM (GMT 0)
Good to hear that he had the paracentesis.  Those sound like normal things to check for.  If the doctor suspected cancer, he would test some of the fluid specifically for cancerous cells.  If that test is positive, he should also order an alpha fetoprotein (AFP) level done through blood work and also an MRI or CT scan with contrast of his liver.

As for the temp, post transplant is 101 degrees, which indicates a sign of possible infection and should be checked out.  But I think it also depends somewhat on what is normal for the patient.  My temp is usually around 97, so a temp of 100 would be alarming to me.  I don't think you need to worry unless it reaches at least 100.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 7/1/2011 10:10 PM (GMT 0)
Ok, Thanks Connie! He is sleeping now but I'm going to check it again when he wakes up. The whole procedure plus recovery time was only about 2 hours so it went a lot quicker than I thought it would. Guess now we'll see how long it takes it to come back.....If it comes back quickly, rather than in a week or more, does that indicate how seriously damaged his liver is? Or does it vary from one time to the next? Just curious about that as well....
Posted 7/1/2011 10:35 PM (GMT 0)

If it comes back quickly, and low sodium diet and diuretics don't work, it is known as refractory ascites.  It might be worth discussing a TIPS procedure.

Did he have a fever prior to the procedure?  A fever can mean SBP (spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.)

I have to correct myself.  They can check for cancer cells in the ascites fluid.  But I do think they would follow that up with an AFP and scan if they found anything suspicious.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 7/1/2011 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, he's been running a low grade temp for a week or so. I wondered if it was related to his ascites, but I knew this procedure was coming up and we would find out shortly. The Dr. said he would call me before his appt on the 25th if SBP or cancer showed up. At least we'll know and won't have to wonder anymore. Since he still drinks would they even consider doing a TIPS on him?
Posted 7/1/2011 10:54 PM (GMT 0)

SW, that I don't know.  Are his doctors aware that he drinks?

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 7/2/2011 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
oh yes, they know....guess I'll ask them when the time comes....
Thanks!
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