Summary

A 61-year-old man presented with accumulation of ascites secondary to alcoholic liver disease. He had an ascitic drain sited and 24 hours later he developed acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO). This is a rare condition previously associated with major surgery and severe sepsis. The patient did well with conservative management, and avoided the need for endoscopic decompression or surgical intervention. We believe that this is the first report of ACPO secondary to abdominal paracentesis.