What size needle and syringe should be used for abdominocentesis?

For an abdominocentesis, the procedure involves aspirating fluid from the abdominal cavity, which typically requires a larger gauge needle to efficiently collect the fluid, as well as a sufficiently sized syringe to hold the fluid being obtained.

Using a 21-gauge needle is appropriate because it strikes a balance between being large enough to facilitate the passage of fluid while still being manageable and less likely to cause excessive trauma to the surrounding tissues compared to larger gauges. Additionally, a 60 ml syringe is an optimal choice, as it provides ample capacity to collect the fluid, allowing for a more significant volume to be retrieved in a single attempt. This is particularly important in cases where fluid accumulation is substantial, thus ensuring that a sufficient diagnosis can be made from the sample obtained.

The combination of a 21-gauge needle and a 60 ml syringe is common practice in veterinary medicine, making this selection practical and aligned with standard operating procedures.