Aspiration

Aspiration

Please report to Admitting 15 minutes before your scheduled exam time.

PREP: No aspirin or blood thinning products for 5 days prior to the exam (with ordering doctor’s approval) and can resume use 24 hours after procedure.

PURPOSE: An aspiration is ordered if a patient has a cyst, seroma, abscess, or a fluid collection that needs to be removed and tested.

WHAT TO EXPECT: This procedure will be performed with the patient lying down on a cart. The area of interest will be scanned with the ultrasound machine, prepped with an iodine scrub and a sterile drape will be applied. Numbing medication will be administered by the interventional radiologist. A needle will be placed in the site of interest to remove the fluid. A bandage will be applied when complete.

TIME FRAME: 30 minutes

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS: Site may turn black and blue (bleeding and infection may occur any time the skin is broken).

POST PROCEDURE: No aspirin for 24 hours. Ice may be applied. If needed, you may take an aspirin free pain reliever. The results will be sent to ordering doctor within 7 – 10 days.

IF YOU ARE PREGNANT, INFORM THE TECHNOLOGIST BEFORE THE EXAM.