Tag Line
Percutaneous abscess drainage uses imaging guidance to place a needle or catheter through the skin into the abscess to remove or drain the infected fluid.
Symptoms
Common Symptoms are
- The sore is larger than 1 cm or ½ inch across.
- The sore fails to heal or it continues to expand and becomes more painful.
- Fever develops and continues
- There is a spreading red streak on the skin originating from the abscess.
- Painful and warm to touch
Pre-Procedure
- Patients who undergo this procedure are usually hospitalized
- Several days prior to the procedure the patient may need to stop certain medication as prescribed by the surgeon
- Overnight fasting is recommended
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Procedure
- A very small skin incision is made at the site.
- Using image-guidance to place a catheter (a long, thin, hollow plastic tube) through the skin and into the abscess to allow for drainage of the infected fluid.
- Once in place, the catheter is connected to a drainage bag outside of your body.The catheter will remain in place until the fluid has stopped draining and your infection is gone.
- It may take several days to drain the abscess.
Post Surgical Care
- Mobilisation with a drain should be encouraged to reduce risk of DVT as soon as Patient is ready to move around.?-At all times, ensure drainage tube is not entangled
- Monitor and mark dressings to ensure minimal leakage, replace dressings as required to minimise risk of infection
- Wash your hands before touching your incision or the drain.
- Cleanse the area around the drain gently in the shower with a mild soap and rinse well.
- Avoid bathing in a tub when you have an incision that has not completely healed .
- Pay attention to the type and amount of drainage that is coming out, it may be bloody, a clear serous fluid, or it may be colored drainage that indicates infection which need to be reported to the Dr.
- Preventing infection is key, but if you see redness of the skin, if the drainage has a bad smell or alarming colors, call your surgeon and report the issue.
- Dressing should be removed when the wound has healed (5-7 days).
Risks
- The chance of infection requiring antibiotic treatment
- There is a very slight risk of an allergic reaction if contrast material is injected.
- Occasionally bleeding may occur.
- The catheter placed at the time of percutaneous abscess drainage may become blocked or displaced requiring manipulation or changing of the catheter.
- At times, a very large or complex fluid collection may require more than one abscess drain.
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