Paracentesis and Thoracentesis Clinic
Address
4110 Outpatient Circle
Outpatient Center
Third Floor, Suite 3/150
Little Rock, AR 72205
Contact Information
- General Information and Appointments
- 501-686-6411
- Fax Number
- 501-526-7913
Hours
- Sunday
- Closed
- Monday
- 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Tuesday
- 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Wednesday
- 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Thursday
- 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Friday
- 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Saturday
- Closed
After Hours
If you are in need of urgent or emergency care, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department at your local hospital.
If you are sick or have a minor injury and need to talk to someone right away, you can access UAMS HealthNow for a video visit with a UAMS Health provider 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., seven days a week.
Respiratory Viruses
If you have been exposed to someone with a respiratory virus or have symptoms such as a cough, fever, sneezing, or runny nose, please call the clinic where your appointment is scheduled. They will let you know if you should come to the clinic for your scheduled appointment or change to a phone or video visit. You may also reschedule for a time when you are feeling better.
If you are seeing a UAMS Health provider to treat a respiratory virus or other contagious condition, please ask for a mask when you check in for your appointment. This is important and will help keep other patients and staff healthy and safe.
About the Paracentesis and Thoracentesis Clinic
Paracentesis and thoracentesis are minimally invasive procedures performed for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. These procedures help relieve symptoms caused by abnormal fluid buildup in the abdomen or around the lungs, while also allowing physicians to analyze the fluid to determine the underlying cause. Conditions such as infection, cancer, liver disease, heart failure, and other organ disorders can often be identified through fluid analysis.
Therapeutic Benefits
Paracentesis
Paracentesis is used to remove excess fluid from the abdominal cavity (ascites) to help relieve symptoms such as:
- Abdominal pain or pressure
- Abdominal bloating or distention
- Shortness of breath
- Constipation
- Indigestion or early fullness after eating
Thoracentesis
Thoracentesis is used to remove excess fluid from the pleural space surrounding the lungs (pleural effusion), helping improve breathing and comfort. Symptoms may include:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest discomfort or pressure
- Persistent cough
- Reduced lung expansion
Diagnostic Benefits
Fluid collected during paracentesis or thoracentesis can be sent to the laboratory for testing to help determine the cause of fluid accumulation.
Paracentesis Fluid Analysis May Help Diagnose:
- Liver cirrhosis
- Portal hypertension
- Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
- Malignancy (cancer)
- Pancreatitis
- Kidney or heart failure
Thoracentesis Fluid Analysis May Help Diagnose:
- Infection, including pneumonia or tuberculosis
- Malignancy (cancer)
- Heart failure
- Pulmonary embolism
- Inflammatory or autoimmune conditions
Prescription Information
To refill a prescription, please ask your pharmacy to send an eScribe request to our clinic, or you can request a refill during your appointment. If you originally filled your prescription at the UAMS Health Outpatient Pharmacy, you can also refill your prescription online using MyChart.
Parking Information
Parking is available in Parking 3, a parking deck at the corner of South Cedar Street and West Capitol Avenue. Please remember to bring your parking stub with you to the clinic for validation and free parking.
Valet parking is available in front of the UAMS Health Outpatient Center for a $10 fee. If you leave after 5:30 p.m., call UAMS police at 501-686-7777 for your keys.
Get DirectionsDirections From the Parking Area
- Go to level 3A in the parking deck.
- Continue across a bridge leading to the UAMS Health Outpatient Center.
- Follow signs to Elevator E.
- Take Elevator E to the third floor of the Outpatient Center.
- Turn right when you get off the elevator.
- Follow the signs to the Paracentesis and Thoracentesis Clinic.
- Clinic (Get Directions)
- Parking (Get Directions)
Appointment Information
What to Bring to Your Appointment
For your first appointment, please bring a photo ID, your insurance card, and a list of any medications you’re taking, including over-the-counter medications. You should also bring any medical records you can provide, including slides or test results from other clinics.
For future appointments, please provide updated medical and insurance information.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Our nursing team will perform a thorough assessment, which may include imaging to confirm the presence of fluid. You will then meet with your physician to be prepped and prepared for the procedure.
Providers at the Paracentesis and Thoracentesis Clinic
Filter the Providers
Conditions Diagnosed or Treated at the Paracentesis and Thoracentesis Clinic
UAMS Health providers care for a broad range of conditions, some of which may not be listed below.
Medical Treatments and Procedures Performed or Prescribed at the Paracentesis and Thoracentesis Clinic
UAMS Health providers perform and prescribe a broad range of treatments and procedures, some of which may not be listed below.
Areas of Expertise Represented at the Paracentesis and Thoracentesis Clinic
Digestive Health
With highly skilled and trained specialists and the latest technology, UAMS Health's digestive health services are the most complete in the state.
Organ Transplantation
Organ transplants are often life-saving treatments for conditions where an organ has failed or is no longer functioning properly.