Puddle test

The puddle test is an auxiliary diagnostic method to determine whether the ascites is abnormal by examining the ascites in the abdominal cavity. This method is: when measuring a small amount of ascites, ask the patient to take elbow and knee digits in minutes, so that ascites accumulates in the umbilical region at the lowest point in the abdomen. The membrane stethoscope is attached to the abdominal wall here, and the doctor flicks the abdominal wall with one finger to listen to the sound. Then move the body toward the contralateral abdomen and continue flicking. If the sound suddenly weakens, the body is located above the edge of the ascites, which is called a positive puddle sign. The same method can be used to check the contralateral side to determine the edge of the ascites. Examination by this method can identify as little as 120 ml of free ascites.

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