Centesis

Centesis

Centesis may be defined as the act of puncturing a body cavity or space with a hollow needle and drawing out fluid. Each centesis procedure involves both a puncture action and a needle aspiration action. It is correct to have two relationship groups for centesis procedures.

One group has a Method (attribute) of Puncture - action (qualifier value) and a Procedure site - Direct (attribute) of the structure being punctured.

A second group has a Method (attribute) of Aspiration - action (qualifier value) and a Procedure site - Indirect (attribute) of the space being aspirated.

  • For example,

    • 91602002 |Thoracentesis (procedure)| has:

      • Role group 1:

        • Method = Puncture - action

        • Procedure site - Direct (attribute) = Pleural membrane structure (body structure)

        • Using device = Needle, device

      • Role group 2:

        • Method = Aspiration - action

        • Procedure site - Indirect (attribute) = Pleural cavity structure (body structure)

        • Using device = Needle, device

Copyright © 2025, SNOMED International