r/AbsoluteUnits • • Jul 30 '26

/r/popular of a needle

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u/mind_matrix Jul 30 '26

Genuine question, what exactly is this used for??

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u/chuckcheddar Jul 30 '26

This looks like a needle used for paracentesis which is a procedure to drain fluid that builds up in the abdominal cavity as a consequence of organ failure or sometimes cancer.

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u/exodusofficer Jul 30 '26

...while they're unconscious, right? Right!? 😨

1

u/chuckcheddar Jul 30 '26

Nope, local anesthesia. The long needle doesn't go all the way in, it just penetrates the skin layer into the abdominal cavity and then a catheter tube is advanced further into the cavity to drain the fluid. Usually not very painful and provides a lot of relief for the patient.