2 1/2 liters ascites fluid drained

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Specializes in BNAT instructor, ICU, Hospice,triage.

This would not be caused from anything but ascites right? When they drain 2 1/2 liters, its always ascites related to liver cirrhosis am I not correct?

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This would not be caused from anything but ascites right? When they drain 2 1/2 liters, its always ascites related to liver cirrhosis am I not correct?

Although ascites is usually caused by liver cirrhosis, there are other plausible causes.

http://www.medicinenet.com/ascites/article.htm#causes

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Specializes in Med Surge, Tele, Oncology, Wound Care.

Ascities is the term to describe fluid collection.

Not just caused by liver damage.

Working Oncology many patients with tumors get ascities. Colon, ovarian and pancreatic cancer (many more tumors also).

I have also seen ascities in patients with CHF and pancreatitis.

I had a patient who had almost 8 liters of fluid removed for palliation a short while ago.

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Seen it in ovarian... so bad that.

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Specializes in medical, telemetry, IMC.

I had a pt a few months ago with ascites and an abdominal mass. They drained over 3 liters and cytology studies of the fluid confirmed a suspected diagnosis of ovarian CA.

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"Seen it in ovarian... so bad that. "

By what mechanism?:confused:

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I had a pt on the weekend that we drained 12 litres over 2 days.

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Specializes in medical, telemetry, IMC.
"Seen it in ovarian... so bad that. "

By what mechanism?:confused:

The cancer cells produce fluid that builds up in the abdominal cavity.

http://ovariancancer.about.com/od/ovariancancerglossary/g/ovca_ascites.htm

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Thank you very much....

The cancer cells produce fluid that builds up in the abdominal cavity.

http://ovariancancer.about.com/od/ovariancancerglossary/g/ovca_ascites.htm

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Specializes in I.C.U,PERIOPERATIVE NURSING,BSN.

it can be so disheartening i had a patient in the operating room with cancer of the ovaries, 8500mls of fluid was drained. the worst of all was that she was 83 years old.

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i've seen a few liters tapped from thoracentesis alone.

many more liters from paracentesis.

when you see all that is removed, you can't help but KNOW what a palliative measure it is...

even if it has to be done daily, which often it does.

i can't imagine having all that excess fluid.

leslie

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Last year I was diagnosed with Burkitt's Lymphoma. My first belly tap produced 2.5 L, three days later 3.9 L, and three days after that was 4.9 L. The lymphoma was producing the fluid, and as soon as I began chemo the ascites stopped. I felt like I was 10 months pregnant. I was miserable!

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