Efficacy of disposable needles versus angiocath needles for therapeutic abdominal paracentesis.

Disposable needle and angiocath needle are the two most commonly used needles for therapeutic abdominal paracentesis. The present study aims to compare the efficacy and complication rate between disposable needles and angiocath needles for therapeutic abdominal paracentesis. The present study was an open-labelled study of patients indicated for therapeutic abdominal paracentesis at Siriraj Hospital during June to December 2009. Patients were assigned by physicians to either the disposable needle group (disposable needle No.18 used) or the angiocath group (angiocath needle No.16 used). Efficacy and complications were compared. A total of 100 patients were assigned to the disposable group, and 100 patients to the angiocath group. The disposable needle group had higher success rate by single attempt (97% vs. 84%, p = 0.006) and less failure (0 vs. 6%, p = 0.013). However the ascites flow rate in the angiocath group was significantly greater (mean 67.1 vs. 53.1 ml/min, p = 0.012). Complications were fewer in the disposable needle group, particularly of abdominal wall hematoma (1% vs. 8%, p = 0.035). Traumatic tapping also occurred less often in the disposable needle group but was not statistically significant (3% vs. 9%, p = 0.134). Compared with angiocath needles, disposable needles used for therapeutic abdominal paracentesis demonstrated higher success rate, fewer complications but slightly slower flow rate.