This information leaflet has been produced to give you general information and will aim to answer most of your questions about an ultrasound guided drainage. It is not intended to replace the discussion between you and the healthcare team, but may act as a starting point for discussion. If after reading it you have concerns or require further explanation, please discuss this with a member of the healthcare team.
Why do I need this procedure?
Other scans, such as ultrasound or CT scans, have shown an abnormal fluid collection inside your body. This procedure removes all or some of the abnormal fluid to either send to the laboratory to find out what it is and help to plan future treatment, or to remove it because it is infected or to relieve symptoms such as discomfort/breathing difficulty.
What are the benefits of the procedure?
This procedure will help your doctor to make a correct diagnosis or decision about your treatment or to help relieve symptoms you are currently experiencing. If you have any questions about the exam, please contact your referring doctor.
How do I know if this is a suitable procedure for me?
Your doctor has suggested this as the most suitable treatment for you. Often, this is used as an alternative to surgery.
Can I take my medication as normal?
Blood-thinning medication such as Aspirin, Warfarin, Rivaroxaban, Clopidogrel are temporarily discontinued prior to this procedure. You will be given advice about this before your procedure date. It is important that we know if you take any blood thinning medications.
What happens during the procedure?
You will attend the ward before your procedure where the nursing staff will complete a series of questions with you, ask you to change into a hospital gown and place a needle (cannula) either in your hand or arm. They may also need to take a blood sample from you if this has not been done recently. You will then be taken to the ultrasound or Radiology department, where a nurse and radiologist (doctor specialising in performing procedures using ultrasound) will meet you. The nurse will run through the questions that you were asked on the ward and the radiologist will discuss the procedure with you and answer any questions you may have. The radiologist will ask for your consent to carry out the procedure.
During your procedure
The radiologist performing the drainage will use an ultrasound machine to locate the fluid that needs to be drained. They will place a mark on your skin to identify the site. The area that is marked will then be cleaned with an antiseptic solution and sterile drapes placed over the area to keep it clean. Local anaesthetic is then injected into a small area of skin and tissue at the site the radiologist has marked. This stings at first, but then makes the area numb.
Once the anaesthetic has had time to work, the radiologist will put a needle into the fluid collection through which a fine wire is passed and then the drainage tube is passed into the fluid collection. The needle and fine wire are removed and a drainage bag (clear plastic bag) will be attached to the drain to collect the fluid. Because of the local anaesthetic you should not feel any pain; however you may feel some pressure as the doctors inserts the drain. Instructions will be given to the nursing team caring for you to advise how long the drain is to remain in place and how to care/look after it. When the drain needs to be removed this can be carried out by the ward nursing staff.
At the end of the procedure
After the drainage, you will be monitored in the ultrasound department for a short while before being taken back to the ward for a period of bed rest. Whilst on the ward your observations (blood pressure, heart rate, pulse oximetry and respiratory rate) will be monitored regularly as well as the wound site.
Are there any risks?
Ultrasound guided drainage is generally a safe procedure, but there are risks and, occasionally, complications. Failure to get the drain in or drain the fluid out (especially if it is too thick to come up the tube) can occur. Very occasionally bleeding can occur which may need a further procedure to treat it.
How soon will I be back to normal?
This procedure is usually performed as a day case, which means you can go home the same day. However we do advise all patients to pack an overnight bag.
What happens if I decide not to have the Procedure?
You will be referred back to the doctor who recommended the ultrasound guided drainage to discuss it further.
What if I have any special requirements?
If you have any special needs or requirements please contact the x-ray staff on the number below.
Where can I get more information?
NHS 111