Paracentesis is a medical procedure performed to relieve symptoms such as shortness of breath, abdominal distension, and pain caused by excessive fluid (ascites) accumulation in the abdominal cavity. This fluid accumulation can often be a sign of a serious underlying disease. Paracentesis helps determine the underlying cause by providing diagnostic analysis of the accumulated fluid, and also provides symptomatic relief for the patient. Furthermore, it may be performed to monitor the treatment response and disease progression in patients previously diagnosed with ascites.