cente-, -centesis

1. The surgical puncture of the abdominal cavity for the removal of fluid for diagnosis or treatment: Joan had to go to the hospital to have an abdominal paracentesis performed because she had excess liquid in the visceral area.
2. A puncture of the wall of a fluid-filled cavity with a hollow needle to draw off the contents for medical diagnosis: A trocar is used during an abdominal paracentesis to obtain some ascitic fluid for examination from a patient while he or she is in a sitting position.

A procedure whereby a trocar is introduced into the abdominal cavity for aspirating fluid which is the removal by suction of a fluid from a body cavity by using a special needle: Abdominocentesis is used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

A puncture of a linking area of the bones with a sterile needle in order to drain excessive accumulated fluid from it: Arthrocentesis is helpful in relieving swelling and pain in structures between the bones.

Due to a sports injury, Bruce had what was called "water-on-the-knee"; so, the doctor used arthrocentesis to draw off the liquid and relieve his discomfort.

In surgery, a deep puncture: Bathycentesis was performed by the doctor when a tumor was found and removed from behind the stomach area in Greg's body.

Removal of fluid, as from the eye, with an electrically activated instrument.

The surgical drainage of the eye or eyes.

Any abnormality of the general sense of well-being: After several months of gray, overcast skies, Dorothy experienced an overwhelming paracenesthesia.

A procedure in which a body cavity is punctured with a needle from the outside.

Paracentesis is most often performed to remove fluid for analysis to aid daanosis of medical conditions causing ascites, a reference to fluid which collects in the abdominal cavity.

Ascites can occur as a result of a number of conditions, including severe liver disease and the presence of malignant cells within the abdomen.

The paracentesis process may also be performed to relieve pressure due to excess fluid or to instill drugs.

Abdominal or thoracic paracentesis is most common; however, other sites include the pericardium and the scrotum

The procedure is usually carried out using local anesthesia and it is said to be quick and relatively painless.