Drainage Percutaneous

Drainage Percutaneous

Treatment for:

Fluid collections

Why it’s done:

Abnormal fluid collections can be due to infection (abscess), lymphatic damage (lymphocele), leakage of serous fluid, bile or urine (seroma, biloma or urinoma), among other causes. These fluid collections often require drainage for definitive treatment.

How it’s done:

An interventional radiologist uses ultrasound or CT guidance to place a drain into the abnormal collection.

Level of anesthesia:

Conscious sedation

Risks:

Bleeding, infection, damage to surrounding structures

Post-procedure:

One to two hours of bed rest

Follow-up:

Drain output should be monitored, and the drain can usually be removed once symptoms have resolved and drainage has significantly slowed. Drains may require intermittent flushing, depending on the clinical situation.