Percutaneous Drainage Patient information leaflet (176kB pdf)
Introduction
We hope this guide will answer your questions about your percutaneous drainage. Please contact the team if you require further information via the details at the end of this leaflet.
What is a percutaneous drainage?
A fluid collection is an abnormal build-up of fluid in a part of the body that can happen from many different causes. An abscess is a type of collection that is infected and has a wall around it developed by the body to stop the infection from spreading. Abnormal fluid collections, such as abscesses, may be drained by the placement of a tube (also called a drain or catheter) through the skin (percutaneous) or body orifice (rectum or vagina) into the collection. Interventional radiologists do this in a minimally invasive way, using imaging techniques such as ultrasound or CT to guide them. There may be a requirement for contrast medium (an iodine based solution often known as x-ray dye) to be injected into the area to assist in the examination.
Why do I need a percutaneous drainage?
Percutaneous drainage is usually the safest, least invasive and most effective way to drain abnormal fluid collections from your body. It usually spares you from longer, more invasive surgical operations with higher complication rates. The purpose of drainage is to establish a diagnosis, i.e. to find out exactly what type of fluid it is; to relieve symptoms and to cure/drain an infected fluid collection; and to stabilize a patient’s condition to allow the safe performance of another procedure and to improve its outcomes.
What are the associated risks?
X-Ray radiation: All x-ray procedures involve exposure to radiation in varying amounts. The dose you get from a medical x-ray is very low and your doctor along with the radiologists have determined that the benefits of having the examination outweigh potential risks. The radiographer is present throughout your test making sure that the radiation dose is kept as low as reasonably possible and the duration and level of x-rays are kept to a minimum.
Procedure risks: Image-guided percutaneous drainage is a safe procedure with a very low complication rate. Rare complications include injury to structures close to the collection. Injury to blood vessels may cause bleeding (hemorrhage). Bacteria escaping into the bloodstream may infrequently cause septic shock which is managed with fluids, antibiotics and other medications.
Contrast medium: A very small number of patients have an allergic reaction to the contrast medium (x-ray dye) if it is required. This can be minor, severe, or even life threatening but the chances of this occurring are very rare. If you get an itchy rash or difficulty breathing during the procedure tell a member of staff, the team will provide appropriate treatment.
Will I need an injection?
Occasionally, patients are given antibiotics, sedative and painkillers through a cannula placed in your arm.
Preparing for your procedure
Percutaneous drainage is usually carried out as a day case procedure under local anesthetic. Please do not have anything to eat for 6 hours prior to your procedure. You may still drink clear fluids such as water. If you are unsure or have questions about your preparation, contact your doctor or the X-ray department for advice. Please contact the booking team in advance if you plan to use hospital transport or require a hoist transfer.
Allergies
If you have asthma or any allergies, especially to iodine or X-ray contrast (CT or coronary angiogram dye), please inform us in advance.
Medication
Please continue to take all medications as usual prior to your examination. If you are taking anti-coagulants (blood thinners) please contact the radiology nurse on the number below.
Getting to us
Once you have arrived at The Princess Alexandra Hospital (Hamstel Road, Harlow, Essex,
CM20 1QX), follow the signage to the radiology reception, which is located on the ground floor, green zone. Please let the radiology receptionist know that you have arrived for your appointment.
When should I arrive?
Please arrive in the radiology department at your given appointment time. A notification
through text or letter should have been sent to you to confirm this appointment.
Can someone stay with me in hospital?
You may have a friend or relative attend with you, but they will be asked to stay in
the waiting area while you have your procedure.
Children are not allowed in the waiting area unattended. Our staff are not permitted to
supervise children, so please ensure child care arrangements are in place to avoid your
tests being rescheduled.
The day of the procedure
You will be shown to a cubicle and asked to undress and put on a gown; please bring a dressing gown if you have one. You may also be asked to remove jewellery, dentures, glasses, or other metal objects, which may show up on the X-rays.
The procedure
Your identification will be checked by a nurse and radiographer, a brief history will be taken; please tell the radiologist what medication, severe allergies, choking episodes or other medical conditions, such as thyroid disease and diabetes you may have. Before the procedure, the interventional radiologist will explain the procedure and ask you to sign a consent form. Please feel free to ask any questions that you may have and, remember that even at this stage, you can decide against going ahead with the procedure if you so wish. You will lie on the X-ray table, generally flat on your back. You may have monitoring devices attached to your chest and finger and will be given oxygen. The procedure is performed under image guidance, meaning the interventional radiologist uses ultrasound, CT, fluoroscopy or a combination to guide the drain into position via the shortest and safest path. The skin will be cleaned with sterilizing fluid and local anesthetic injected into and under the skin. After the anesthetic has taken effect, if necessary, a tiny incision (3-4 mm) is made and the tissues under the skin spread a little to allow the tube to be placed. A needle is then placed through the skin into the collection. When the tip of the needle is in the collection, a wire is passed into it, the needle removed and the tube put into the collection by sliding it over the wire. The wire is then removed. During the process, your doctor will need your cooperation and may give you some instructions (e.g. hold your breath). The tube is attached to a small drainage bag on the outside of your body into which the fluid flows out through the tube. The tube is secured to your skin with fixation devices including sticky tape and occasionally sutures to prevent the tube from falling out or getting pulled out. Other dressings are placed on top of this.
After the procedure
You will be taken back to the ward. Nursing staff will carry out routine observations including pulse and blood pressure and will also check the treatment site. You will generally stay in bed for a couple of hours, until you have recovered. The drain will remain in the collection until it has been fully emptied. Once this has happened, the drain can be removed. This is not usually painful.
Can I drive after my procedure?
No, it is important that you have a responsible adult to escort you home. You must not
drive or use public transport for the journey home.
How soon can I return to work?
This will be advised by your physician
When will I get my results?
You will not know the results of your examination immediately. The radiologist will report their findings to the clinician who arranged your procedure, who will discuss the results with you.
What do I do if I feel unwell after I have gone home?
You may have a small amount of bruising around the site of entry; however, if you notice any excessive bleeding you should call your GP, or go straight to the A&E department. If you experience a high temperature or fever, excessive pain, or diarrhoea you must contact your GP or the A&E department as you may have an infection which needs to be treated with antibiotics.
Contacting the team
- If you have any further questions about your procedure or an existing appointment, please contact the radiology department (Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm) at01279 82 2527or 3405
- If you have any queries outside of working hours (after 4pm and on weekends), you will be redirected to the main radiology reception. Please note appointment bookings cannot be made during this time.
Your feedback matters
- If you would like to give feedback on your care, please contact our patient experience team at [email protected] or01279 827211.
- Please contact the communications team at [email protected] if you would like this leaflet in another language or format.