USG guided percutaneous drainage is a minimally invasive, image-guided alternative to surgery for draining abscesses, infected collections and excess fluid from the chest, abdomen and pelvis. A small catheter is placed through the skin under live ultrasound vision — relieving pain, controlling infection and avoiding open surgery in most cases. At our Bathinda clinic, drainage procedures are performed personally by Dr. Ambrish Raja with same-day catheter placement.
What Can Be Drained Under USG Guidance
- Liver abscess — amoebic or pyogenic (see dedicated page)
- Intra-abdominal abscess / collection — post-operative, appendicular, diverticular
- Pelvic abscess (tubo-ovarian, post-surgical)
- Pleural effusion / empyema — chest fluid drainage with pigtail catheter
- Ascites — therapeutic large-volume tap
- Renal / perinephric abscess
- Subcutaneous and soft-tissue abscess
How the Procedure Is Done
- The collection is scanned and the safest catheter path is planned.
- The skin is cleaned and infiltrated with local anaesthesia.
- Under real-time ultrasound, a needle is introduced into the collection.
- A guidewire is passed through the needle, and over it a pigtail catheter (8-14 Fr) is placed inside the collection using the Seldinger technique.
- The catheter is connected to a drainage bag and secured to the skin.
- The collected fluid is sent for culture, biochemistry and cytology.
Benefits Over Open Surgical Drainage
- No surgical incision, no general anaesthesia
- Local anaesthesia only — patient stays awake and comfortable
- Very short procedure (20-40 minutes)
- Quicker recovery and shorter hospital stay
- Excellent success rate (85-95%) — surgery is needed only for complex cases
After the Procedure
- The catheter usually stays in for 5-14 days, depending on the daily drainage output
- You may be discharged home with the catheter in place — daily output is recorded
- Antibiotics are continued as per culture report
- Follow-up ultrasound confirms collapse of the cavity before catheter removal
- Catheter removal at the bedside is painless
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the procedure painful?
Local anaesthesia numbs the skin and deeper tissues, so most patients feel only mild pressure. The relief from drainage is usually immediate.
Will I need to be admitted?
Many drainage procedures can be done as day-care, but admission may be required if you are very unwell, have sepsis, or need IV antibiotics.
How long will the catheter stay in?
Until the daily drainage falls below 10-20 ml and follow-up ultrasound shows the cavity has collapsed — usually 5-14 days.
Is it safer than surgery?
For most abscesses and fluid collections, USG guided drainage is the first-line treatment and is significantly safer and quicker to recover from than open surgery.
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