Trick of the Trade: Persistent Paracentesis Leakage 2.0
![Paracentesis leakage](https://i0.wp.com/www.aliem.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Paracentesis-1.jpg?resize=400%2C317&ssl=1)
You’re seeing a patient returning to the ED after a recent diagnostic paracentesis. The patient is complaining of persistent peritoneal fluid leakage. They’ve tried putting pressure with no success. You tried applying a medical adhesive glue and noticed it was unsuccessful, based on the patient’s gown continuing to get wet with ascites fluid. Now what?
Trick of the Trade: Pressure Gauze and Transparent Film Dressing
The medical adhesive glue trick was proposed in the Trick of the Trade 1.0 version by Dr. Borloz and Dr. Lin in November 2012.
![](https://i1.wp.com/www.aliem.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Benzoin-stick.jpg?ssl=1&resize=483%2C483)
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.aliem.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Gauze-in-package.jpg?ssl=1&resize=529%2C529)
![](https://i1.wp.com/www.aliem.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Tegaderm-650x650.jpg?ssl=1&resize=659%2C659)
Materials Needed
Material | Quantity |
---|---|
Benzoin tincture | 1 |
Gauze 2″ x 2″ | 1-2 |
Transparent Film Dressing (Tegaderm) 2.5″ x 2.75″ | 3-4 |
Technique
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.aliem.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Benzoin-stick-1.jpg?resize=650%2C650&ssl=1)
![gauze ball in hand](https://i0.wp.com/www.aliem.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Gauze-ball.jpg?resize=650%2C650&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.aliem.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Tegaderm-stretch.jpg?resize=650%2C650&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.aliem.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Gauze-and-Tegaderm-application.jpg?resize=650%2C650&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.aliem.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Gauze-under-tegaderm.jpg?resize=650%2C650&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.aliem.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Paracentesis-leak-trick-final.jpg?resize=650%2C650&ssl=1)
Pro Tip
Consider combining both this trick of the trade and the adhesive glue technique. Hat tip to Dr. Christian Rose [Twitter @RoseLikeTheFlwr] for this idea.
Interested in other Tricks of the Trade posts?
Read the series of Tricks of the Trade posts.