Does peritonitis have to be drained?

[Matthew89]

Hello! Just wanted to ask anyone who is familiar with ascitis? The patient has massive ascites per CT scan. But the doc doesn't want to drain because she said once you tap you have to continuously tap the patient which might expose them to infection. But my question is the pt is abdominally breathing and another MD thinks its peritonitis. Does peritonitis have to be drained?

[Zeek, LPN]

We have had patients with a peritoneal dialysis catheter that can be drained as well.  They don't necessarily have to be on dialysis to have this type of catheter as a long term access.  It is double cuffed - one cuff under the skin and one further down the catheter to prevent infection entering the peritoneum.  That way there is no poking them for access when they need to be drained.  It is true that they tend to fill right back up, but with a catheter you can also instill antibiotics directly into the peritoneum to fight an infection.