WHAT IS IT
An abscess is an infected collection of fluid that can result in symptoms such as fever, chills and pain. If a patient is positively diagnosed with an abscess, he or she may need to have it drained.
PURPOSE
Percutaneous abscess drainage is a minimally invasive procedure that’s most often used to clear infected fluid from the body, usually in the abdomen and pelvis. Abscess drainages can often prevent a patient from needing more complex surgery.
HOW IT WORKS
During an abscess drainage procedure, the radiologist uses image-guidance to insert a thin needle under the skin to drain the fluid out of the growth.
WHAT TO EXPECT
You will be asked to wear a hospital gown and positioned on the examining table. Depending on your pain level and location of the abscess, you will be given either a local anesthetic or a sedative. Special equipment will track your heart rate, blood pressure and pulse during the procedure.
The site where the catheter will be inserted must be shaved, sterilized and covered with a drape. A very small nick is made in the skin at the site of the abscess and a catheter is guided toward the site where it will drain the fluid. The entire procedure could take 20 minutes to one hour. The tube will stay connected until all of the fluid has been cleared and the infection subsides—a process that may take several days. Patients who undergo abscess drainage may be required to stay in the hospital until cleared by their physician.
HOW TO PREPARE
Tell your doctor about any medications you’re currently taking and inform him or her about any known allergies. Women should tell their physician if they are or could be pregnant as the imaging procedures (CT, ultrasound or x-ray fluoroscopic imaging) used to diagnose an abscess and guide the needle could be harmful to your developing fetus. You may be instructed to fast for several hours before your procedure.
