Download Abscess Drainage

Ultrasound or Computed Tomography
PATIENT GUIDE and
PREPARATION
Abscess
Drainage
What is an Abscess Drainage?

An Abscess Drainage is a procedure that involves using a
needle to drain pus from an abscess collection in the
abdominal cavity or from elsewhere.

It can be done using either Ultrasound (US) or Computed
Tomography (CT) imaging guidance.

It is typically done to improve your recovery and/or
quality of life.

A specimen may be taken and sent to the lab for further
analysis.
How should I get ready for an Abscess
Drainage?

At the time of referring you for an Abscess Drainage your
doctor should go over the preparation with you. You will
also be contacted by the Diagnostic Imaging booking
office with further questions prior to booking the
procedure.

All patients must arrange with their doctor to get the
following blood tests done 14 days prior to the procedure
date: INR, PT, PTT, and Platelets.

All patients on blood thinners must consult their doctor
about stopping them before the procedure if possible.
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
Recommended times to stop common blood thinners:
 Clopidogrel (Plavix), ASA (Aspirin) (7 days)
 Warfarin (Coumadin) (5 days)
 Heparin (6 hrs)
 Enoxaparin
(Lovenox), Dalteparin (Fragmin),
Dabigatran (Pradax), Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) (24 hrs)

Diabetics are not to take their insulin or Metformin the
morning of the procedure. Please bring it with you to take
after the exam as directed.

Do not stop taking any medications without first
consulting your doctor. If you have any questions about
your medications please ask your doctor.

All patients on blood thinners must arrange with their
family doctor to have their INR, PT, PTT, and Platelets
retested one day before the procedure.

Tell your family doctor if you are allergic to freezing or any
medications.

Make sure to follow all preparation instructions carefully.
If you do not follow all instructions the test will have to
be rescheduled.

Call the day surgery booking clerk the day prior to your test
to confirm your appointment time at (902)-749-0231
between 12:30pm and 1:30pm.

You must bring someone to the appointment with you and
have them drive you home after. If you do not bring
someone, the procedure may not be done.
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
You should have someone to stay with you for 24 hours
after the test in case complications arise.

You must have nothing to eat or drink 12 hours before
the procedure.

When you arrive at the hospital register at Day Surgery.

At Day Surgery a nurse will check and record your vitals
and ask you some questions, before bringing you to
Diagnostic Imaging.

The nurse will ask you for your antibiotics and setup an
I.V. to administer them about 1 hour before the test
begins.
What can I Expect for my Abscess Drainage?

You will be asked to change into a hospital gown while
in Day Surgery.

A nurse will then take you to the CT or Ultrasound
department depending on how the drainage is scheduled
to be done and stay with you during your procedure.

Before the procedure starts, the Radiologist (x-ray
doctor) will go over the procedure with you and ask you
to sign a consent form. This is a good time to ask any
questions you may have.

You will be lying down for the procedure either on a
stretcher (in US) or on the CT table.
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
You will be hooked up to a blood pressure monitor and
pulse oximeter throughout the test.

You may be given some conscious sedation medication
through an I.V. to help relax you during the test and
minimize the potential pain.

An initial scan will be done (either using CT or US) to
localize the abscess.

The radiologist will first clean off your skin with an
antiseptic solution then inject local anesthetic (freezing
that is similar to what a dentist uses) to numb the skin
and abscess.

A needle will be inserted through your skin into your
abscess.

A scan will be done again to confirm proper placement of
the needle within the abscess.

Once proper placement is confirmed the radiologist will
begin draining the abscess.

The radiologist may take a sample of the fluid and send it
to the laboratory for analysis by a pathologist.

Depending on the size of the abscess or how quickly the
fluid accumulates, the radiologist may leave a small
piece of tube in to allow further drainage (typically done
for a paracentesis).
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
The site will be dressed and pressure will be applied after
the procedure.

A final scan may be done to recheck the abscess after the
drainage.
What can I Expect after my Abscess Drainage?

You will be transferred by stretcher back to Day Surgery
for recovery and observation.

If sedation is used you may feel temporarily groggy after
the procedure.

Even though freezing was used, you may experience some
pain at the drainage site as the freezing wears off.

Some people experience a feeling of pressure at the abscess
site during the drainage and after the exam.

Depending on your recovery you will be discharged from
Day Surgery usually about 4 hours after the procedure.

If the drain was left in to allow further draining, you will be
admitted to the hospital until it is removed.

It is recommended you avoid any strenuous activity for 1-2
days after the drainage.
What are the risks for my Abscess Drainage?

With any procedure where the skin is punctured, there is a
risk of infection. To minimize the chance of an infection
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your skin is cleaned with an antiseptic solution before the
test (to kill potential germs) and all the instruments used
will be sterile.

Given the skin will be punctured, there is always a risk of
unwanted bleeding during and after the drainage. Any
bleeding will be monitored closely before you can leave
the hospital.
How long will my Abscess Drainage take?

You need to register 1 hour prior to your appointment at
the Day Surgery reception desk.

The procedure itself will take approximately 30 - 60
minutes.

The observation and recovery time will take
approximately 4 hours after the procedure finishes.
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The technologists are unable to give test results. Your doctor
will receive a copy of the pathology report within approximately 1 - 2 weeks of the procedure.
If you have any questions, concerns or if you are
unable to keep your appointment, please do not
hesitate to call the booking office at 742-2571 or toll
free 1-877-742-2571.
Diagnostic Imaging Department
Yarmouth Regional Hospital
60 Vancouver Street
Yarmouth, NS
B5A 2P5
Patient Guides available on
http://www.swndha.nshealth.ca/pages/guides.htm
SWH promotes a smoke free and scent free environment.
Prepared by – Diagnostic Imaging Department, SWH.
Revised July 2014
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