Percutaneous Drainage

What is a ‘percutaneous drainage’?   

This is a minimally invasive technique used to drain or remove a collection of fluid. For example, ascites or abscess. 

What is a percutaneous liver biopsy’?   

‘Percutaneous’ means ‘through the skin’.  

What is a percutaneous liver biopsy’?   

‘Percutaneous’ means ‘through the skin’.  

Why do I need a percutaneous drainage?   

You may have had an ultrasound scan or a CT scan, which has shown that you have an abscess or a collection of fluid. Abscesses can make you very ill, and if they occur after surgery, will delay your recovery. Although antibiotics can help, they are not very effective against a large abscess. However, once the pus or fluid had been drained it can be sent to the laboratory for tests to show which is the best antibiotic to treat the remaining infection.     

Who has made the decision?   

The consultant in charge of your case and a radiologist will have discussed your case and feel that this is the best treatment option for you.   

Who will be doing the percutaneous drainage?   

A doctor called a radiologist who has been specially trained in using x-ray and scanning equipment to place the drainage catheter accurately into the affected area will perform the drainage.   

Where will the procedure take place?   

In the x-ray department, either in the CT scanning room or in a ‘special procedures’ room, with an ultrasound machine.   

Is there any preparation?   

A blood test called a clotting screen will be required, and certain blood thinning medications will need to be stopped prior to your appointment. The radiology nurses will contact you to discuss these. You should continue to take your regular medication as usual.  

Special instructions before the procedure – day of the procedure  

You can eat and drink as normal on the day of the procedure.   

You should be prepared to be in hospital for a few hours to recover from the procedures so please bring something to keep you occupied.   

Consent   

The radiologist will explain all the risks and benefits before asking you to sign a consent form.  If you are unsure about any aspect of the treatment proposed, please do not hesitate to ask questions. 

What happens during a percutaneous drainage?

A nurse will take your details and will take your blood pressure and your pulse before the procedure starts.    

You will be asked lie on a bed or trolley. We will then scan you to find the best position for you to lie in. The radiologist will clean the skin with antiseptic to help avoid infection. We will keep everything as sterile as possible; you will have part of your body covered with a sterile towel. The skin and deeper tissues will be anaesthetised with a local anaesthetic; this will sting briefly before the tissues go numb.     

What happens next will vary in different situations. The pus or fluid may simply be drained through a needle or plastic tube, which is then withdrawn altogether. Alternatively, it may be necessary to place a larger drainage tube into the abscess or fluid and attach it to the skin so that it can continue to drain for some hours. In this case, a bag will be attached to collect the drain fluid.   

How long will it take?   

Every patient’s situation is different, and it is not always easy to predict how difficult the procedure will be. The procedure may take about 45 minutes.   

Will it hurt?     

The local anaesthetic may sting briefly; you should then only feel touch and pressure in the area where the radiologist is working. Generally, placing the catheter in the affected area only takes a short time, and once in place, it should not hurt at all.   

What happens afterwards?   

You will return to the same area you were admitted to recover. Nursing staff will monitor your blood pressure, pulse, temperature, wound site etc. closely for the first few hours to make sure that there are no problems. 

You are usually free to mobilise as this can help drain the fluid. The nurses will help you so that the drainage bag is secure and doesn’t get dislodged.   

The bag will need to be emptied periodically so that it does not become too heavy, the nurses will measure this fluid.   

How long will the catheter stay in, and what happens next?    

This varies from patient to patient and the doctors looking after you should be able to advise you.   

The drain usually stays in place for six hours or until 10litres has drained, which ever happens first.   

What are some risks and complications?   

Percutaneous drainage is normally a safe procedure, but there are some risks and complications which can arise, as with any medical treatment.   

Bleeding can sometimes occur, although in most cases, this is self-limiting and only very occasionally will further treatment be required. Damage to adjacent structures is a rare complication because performing the procedure using imaging guidance allows the drainage catheter to be placed accurately.     

Finally   

We hope that you have found this leaflet useful. If you have any questions, or you are worried about anything, please discuss it with your referring Consultant, your family doctor (GP) or the radiology sister on 01305 255276.  

Make sure you are satisfied that you have received enough information about the procedure before you sign the consent form.    

About this leaflet

Author: Radiology Sister, Michelle De La Haye
Written: August 2018
Updated and approved: July 2025
Review date: June 2028
Edition: v4

If you have feedback regarding the accuracy of the information contained in this leaflet, or if you would like a list of references used to develop this leaflet, please email patientinformation.leaflets@dchft.nhs.uk