Randomized crossover trial of ‘Roll-over’ technique of abdominal paracentesis versus standard technique in suspected malignant ascites

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background The sensitivity of single abdominal paracentesis for diagnosis of peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) varies from 40–70%. We hypothesized that rolling-over the patient before paracentesis might improve the cytological yield. Research design and methods This was a single center pilot study with a randomized cross-over design. We compared the cytological yield of fluid obtained by roll-over technique (ROG) with standard paracentesis (SPG) in suspected PC. In the ROG group, patients were rolled side-to-side thrice, and the paracentesis was done within 1 minute. Each patient served as their own control, and the outcome assessor (cytopathologist) was blinded. The primary objective was to compare the tumor cell positivity between SPG and ROG groups. Results Of 71 patients, 62 were analyzed. Of 53 patients with malignancy-related ascites, 39 had PC. Most of the tumor cells were adenocarcinoma (30, 94%) with one patient each having suspicious cytology and one having lymphoma. The sensitivity for diagnosis of PC was (31/39) 79.49% in SPG group and (32/39) 82.05% in ROG group (p = 1.00). The cellularity was similar between both the groups (good cellularity in 58% of SPG and 60% of ROG, p = 1.00) Conclusions Rollover paracentesis did not improve the cytological yield of abdominal paracentesis. Trial registration CTRI/2020/06/025887 and NCT04232384