Nursing intervention in cancer patients submitted to paracentesis: an Integrative Review Protocol
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31877/on.2026.52.07Keywords:
paracentesis, nursing care, ascites, drainage, malignant ascitesAbstract
Paracentesis is a minimally invasive procedure commonly used for the diagnosis and treatment of ascites, with liver cirrhosis and malignancy being the most frequent underlying causes. Despite its routine use, particularly in oncology settings, there remains a lack of synthesized evidence regarding the nursing role in the periprocedural care of these patients. This integrative review aims to identify, synthesize, and analyze nursing interventions in adults undergoing paracentesis for ascites management, regardless of disease stage or treatment context. The review will follow an integrative methodology, allowing the inclusion of diverse study designs and both qualitative and quantitative data. Databases including MEDLINE, CINAHL, and ClinicalKey will be searched using a strategy developed by two reviewers and peer-reviewed by a third. Findings are expected to inform evidence-based practice and support the development of autonomous nursing interventions in this clinical setting.
Downloads
References
Aponte EM, Katta S, Kurapati R, O’Rourke MC. Paracentesis. Atlas of Emergency Medicine Procedures, Second Edition [Internet]. 2023 Oct 27 [cited 2025 Mar 23];421–3. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK435998/
2. Lindsay AJ, Burton J, Ray CE. Paracentesis-Induced Circulatory Dysfunction: A Primer for the Interventional Radiologist. Semin Intervent Radiol [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2025 Mar 23];31(3):276. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4140947/
3. Lew M, Cantley R, Heider A, Jing X. Diagnosis and categorization of malignant effusions: A 6-year review from a single academic institution. Diagn Cytopathol [Internet]. 2021 May 1 [cited 2025 Mar 23];49(5):615–21. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32275354/
4. Smith EM, Jayson GC. The current and future management of malignant ascites. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) [Internet]. 2003 [cited 2025 Apr 8];15(2):59–72. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12708713/
5. Ikegami T, Ishiki H, Kadono T, Ito T, Yokomichi N. Narrative review of malignant ascites: epidemiology, pathophysiology, assessment, and treatment. Ann Palliat Med [Internet]. 2024 Jul 31 [cited 2025 Mar 23];13(4):842–57. Available from: https://apm.amegroups.org/article/view/123660/html
6. Ayantunde AA, Parsons SL. Pattern and prognostic factors in patients with malignant ascites: a retrospective study. Ann Oncol [Internet]. 2007 [cited 2025 Mar 23];18(5):945–9. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17298959/
7. Lepida A, Marot A, Trépo E, Degré D, Moreno C, Deltenre P. Systematic review with meta-analysis: automated low-flow ascites pump therapy for refractory ascites. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2019 Nov 1;50(9):978–87.
8. Petzold G, Bremer SCB, Heuschert FC, Treiber H, Ellenrieder V, Kunsch S, et al. Tunnelled Peritoneal Catheter for Malignant Ascites—An Open-Label, Prospective, Observational Trial. Cancers (Basel) [Internet]. 2021 Jun 2 [cited 2025 Mar 23];13(12):2926. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8230746/
9. Smith-Hanratty B. Performing Abdominal Paracentesis. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners. 2023 Mar 1;19(3):104534.
10. Smith-Hanratty B. Performing Abdominal Paracentesis. Journal for Nurse Practitioners [Internet]. 2023 Mar 1 [cited 2025 Apr 8];19(3). Available from: https://www.npjournal.org/action/showFullText?pii=S1555415522005104
11. Toronto CE, Remington R, Toronto CE, Remington R. A Step-by-Step Guide to Conducting an Integrative Review. 1st ed. Cham: Springer International Publishing; 2020.
12. Hopia H, Latvala E, Liimatainen L. Reviewing the methodology of an integrative review. Scand J Caring Sci. 2016 Dec 1;30(4):662–9.
13. Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, Boutron I, Hoffmann TC, Mulrow CD, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ [Internet]. 2021 Mar 29 [cited 2024 Jun 7];372. Available from: https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n71
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Davide Fernandes, Ana Maria Almeida, Márcia Santos
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
