What is Percutaneous Abscess Drain

Percutaneous abscess drain is removal of a collection of infected fluid inside the body (abscess). This is done by placing a thin needle under the skin and moving it into the abscess. A small tube (catheter) is inserted during the procedure and left in place for a few days to continue to drain the abscess.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
• Any blood disorders you have.
• Any surgeries you have had.
• Any medical conditions you have.
• Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
• Any history of tobacco use or smoking.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

• Infection.
• Bleeding.
• Allergic reaction to medicines or materials used.
• Damage to other structures or organs.
• Blockage of the catheter, requiring placement of a new catheter.
• A need to repeat the procedure.
• Failure of the procedure to drain the abscess completely, requiring an open surgical procedure to drain the abscess. An open procedure is done through a larger incision.

What happens before the procedure?

Medicines

• Ask your health care provider about:
  • Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
  • Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines before your procedure if your health care provider instructs you not to.

Staying hydrated

Follow instructions from your health care provider about hydration, which may include:

• Up to 2 hours before the procedure – you may continue to drink clear liquids, such as water, clear fruit juice, black coffee, and plain tea.

Eating and drinking restrictions

Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating and drinking, which may include:

• 8 hours before the procedure – stop eating heavy meals or foods such as meat, fried foods, or fatty foods.
• 6 hours before the procedure – stop eating light meals or foods, such as toast or cereal.
• 6 hours before the procedure – stop drinking milk or drinks that contain milk.
• 2 hours before the procedure – stop drinking clear liquids.

General instructions

• Plan to have someone take you home from the hospital or clinic.
• If you will be going home right after the procedure, plan to have someone with you for 24 hours.
• You may have blood tests or urine tests.
• You may get a tetanus shot.
• You may have imaging tests, such as an ultrasound, to check how large or deep your abscess is.

What happens during the procedure?

• To lower your risk of infection:
  • Your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
  • The skin around the abscess will be washed with soap.
  • Hair may be removed from the surgical site.
• An IV tube will be inserted into one of your veins.
• You will be given medicine to numb the area (local anesthetic) where the catheter will be placed. Placement of the catheter varies depending on where your abscess is located.
• You may be given medicine to help you relax (sedative) or medicine to make you fall asleep (general anesthetic).
• A small incision will be made in your skin.
• A needle will be inserted under your skin and moved into the abscess. Images from ultrasound, X-ray, or a CT scan will be used to help guide the needle to the abscess.
• A catheter will be inserted into your incision and moved underneath your skin until it reaches the abscess. Images will be used to help guide the catheter to the abscess.
• After the catheter is in place, the needle will be removed. The catheter will be connected to a bag outside of your body. The catheter will stay in place until the fluid has stopped draining and the infection is gone.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

• Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored until the medicines you were given have worn off.
• You may have some pain or nausea. Medicines will be available to help you.

Summary

• An abscess is a collection of infected fluid inside the body.
• During this procedure, images from ultrasound, X-rays, or a CT scan are used to help guide the needle and catheter to the abscess.
• A catheter will be left in place to continue to drain the abscess after the procedure.

Percutaneous Abscess Drain, Care After

This sheet gives you information about how to care for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. If you have problems or questions, contact your health care provider.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After your procedure, it is common to have:

• A small amount of bruising and discomfort in the area where the drainage tube (catheter) was placed.
• Sleepiness and fatigue. This should go away after the medicines you were given have worn off.

Follow these instructions at home:

Incision care

• Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your incision. Make sure you:
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your bandage (dressing). If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Change your dressing as told by your health care provider.
  • Leave stitches (sutures), skin glue, or adhesive strips in place. These skin closures may need to stay in place for 2 weeks or longer. If adhesive strip edges start to loosen and curl up, you may trim the loose edges. Do not remove adhesive strips completely unless your health care provider tells you to do that.
• Check your incision area every day for signs of infection. Check for:
  • More redness, swelling, or pain.
  • More fluid or blood.
  • Warmth.
  • Pus or a bad smell.
  • Fluid leaking from around your catheter (instead of fluid draining through your catheter).

Catheter care

• Follow instructions from your health care provider about emptying and cleaning your catheter and collection bag. You may need to clean the catheter every day so it does not clog.
• If directed, write down the following information every time you empty your bag:
  • The date and time.
  • The amount of drainage.

General instructions

• Rest at home for 1–2 days after your procedure. Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider.
• Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub for 24 hours after your procedure, or until your health care provider says that this is okay.
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have less than 10 mL of drainage a day for 2–3 days in a row, or as directed by your health care provider.
• You have more redness, swelling, or pain around your incision area.
• You have more fluid or blood coming from your incision area.
• Your incision area feels warm to the touch.
• You have pus or a bad smell coming from your incision area.
• You have fluid leaking from around your catheter (instead of through your catheter).
• You have a fever or chills.
• You have pain that does not get better with medicine.

Get help right away if:

• Your catheter comes out.
• You suddenly stop having drainage from your catheter.
• You suddenly have blood in the fluid that is draining from your catheter.
• You become dizzy or you faint.
• You develop a rash.
• You have nausea or vomiting.
• You have difficulty breathing or you feel short of breath.
• You develop chest pain.
• You have problems with your speech or vision.
• You have trouble balancing or moving your arms or legs.

Summary

• It is common to have a small amount of bruising and discomfort in the area where the drainage tube (catheter) was placed.
• You may be directed to record the amount of drainage from the bag every time you empty it.
• Follow instructions from your health care provider about emptying and cleaning your catheter and collection bag.