Sometimes, after surgery or when an infection develops, patients can develop an abscess (an infected area filled with pus), especially in the abdomen, pelvis or, occasionally, in the chest. Pus is fluid formed by the buildup of dead, infection-fighting white blood cells mixed with bacteria (the cause of the infection). Not treating an abscess can lead to a life-threatening, bloodborne infection (sepsis). Fortunately, interventionalists can drain an abscess using minimally invasive procedures and imaging techniques, such as a CT scan or ultrasound.
What happens during abscess drainage?
You will have already discussed the treatment options with the physician doing the procedure. Prior to your procedure, we’ll take you to a preparation area where our nurses will start an IV in your arm and give you any medication that may be required prior to your procedure.
What happens during abscess drainage?
You will have already discussed the treatment options with the physician doing the procedure. Prior to your procedure, we’ll take you to a preparation area where our nurses will start an IV in your arm and give you any medication that may be required prior to your procedure.
When it’s time to begin, we’ll take you to either the CT scanner area or a special room that is similar to an operating room. We often use conscious sedation, or moderate anesthesia, during abscess drainage procedures. In this case, you’ll remain slightly awake throughout the procedure. We will monitor your pulse, blood pressure, and your breathing throughout the procedure.
During the procedure, you’ll lie on your back or your stomach and we’ll clean the area where we’ll insert a needle and catheter (a thin, hollow tube), using a special solution to minimize infection. We’ll place sterile drapes over your body and an interventionalist will inject a local anesthetic so you don’t feel any pain.
Your interventionalist will insert a needle (to take a sample of the infected area) and then a catheter into a small incision on your skin near the abscess and, using CT or ultrasound, will guide the catheter to the abscess and begin draining it. The catheter will typically stay in place for several days.
After your procedure, your interventionalist will review the results of your abscess drainage with your physician so he or she can discuss the next steps with you.