Surely many do not know what puncture is. It is a specific procedure used to diagnose various pathologies, as well as for the treatment of biological cavities and internal organs. Before the patient agrees to this procedure, he should study more carefully what it is - a puncture. This is what we will talk about in our article. In addition, here you will find information on when this procedure is prescribed.
What it is?
Puncture is a special puncture of the tissues of blood vessels, internal organs, different cavities, neoplasms for the purpose of diagnosis or for the collection of fluids. In addition, this procedure is sometimes also necessary for the administration of drugs. Speaking about what it is - a puncture, it should be noted that it is used to diagnose diseases of the liver, lungs, bone marrow, as well as bone tissue. In most cases, this method experts identify cancer. In order to clarify the diagnosis, the material is taken directly from the tumor itself.
If we talk about blood vessels, then puncture is used to collect biological fluid, as well as to install catheters. Women can be given a puncture in IVF.
Varieties
There are several varieties of this procedure. The main ones are the following:
- P levar puncture. It is necessary in the case when a fluid has accumulated between the pleural sheets in the form of blood or exudate.
- Sternal puncture. This procedure is performed for patients who are suspected of diseases of the hematopoietic system, for example, leukemia, aplastic anemia, as well as myelodysplastic syndrome.
- Biopsy. Patients are prescribed for suspected malignant neoplasms, as well as various pathologies. Most often, doctors perform a biopsy of the liver, lungs, kidneys, prostate, thyroid gland, ovaries and other internal organs.
- Spinal puncture. The procedure is indicated for patients with meningitis, neuroleukemia, subarachnoid hemorrhage, brain neoplasm.
- Cordocentesis. This procedure is a puncture of the umbilical vein, in which fetal blood is taken for analysis.
In addition to all of the above varieties, women are often prescribed follicular puncture, which is done during IVF. This is an important and crucial moment on the path to motherhood. The reviews suggest that after the follicle puncture, as well as during this procedure, patients have only an unpleasant sensation.
How is it done?
But how is this procedure carried out? As mentioned earlier, a puncture is a puncture using a special thin needle and syringe, as well as their penetration into the internal organ to collect fluid or other material. The procedure can be carried out in different ways: by local anesthesia, without painkillers, under general anesthesia. Everything will depend on the organ, the localization of education and other nuances.
This activity is carried out only in stationary mode. The patient should choose the most convenient position for the doctor. The duration of the procedure is about 15 minutes. Before the puncture itself, the place is treated with an antiseptic. Do not move while taking material so that the needle does not touch adjacent vessels and tissues. After taking the material, the patient should lie down for some time. For example, if a bone marrow puncture is done, the patient should lie on his side for about 30 minutes.
In what cases is appointed? Sensation of manipulation
Reviews about the puncture suggest that the procedure is painless, but can cause discomfort. Now let's look at in what specific cases this event can be scheduled.
For splicing
Such a puncture is used when it is necessary to bring together and hold in mutual contact until intergrowth of disconnected tissue. For example, such a puncture is used for skin incisions, aponeurosis, serous membranes, renal tissue, intestinal, cardiac, vascular walls or organ parenchyma, as well as cut muscles, tendons, etc. This is, in fact, indications of a surgical suture in general.
For drug administration
When introduced into the tissues or cavities of one or another analgesic, indifferent substance. Of the indifferent substances for cosmetic purposes, they are injected into the subcutaneous tissue, for example, silicone into the mammary gland or molten paraffin into the back of the nose when it is absorbed to eliminate the defect. Finally, intradermal administration of drugs is also used. Perform deeper punctures, for example, the abdominal wall with ascites.
For taking material
Puncture is also used, if necessary, to obtain the most safe biopsy material (cavity or tissue fluid and tissue pieces so that they are subjected to chemical, bacteriological or microscopic analysis). This is mainly carried out in order to obtain additional data for the diagnosis and for a more correct choice of therapy right up to the operation.
A puncture makes it possible to directly probe any dense pathological formation or foreign object hidden in the depths of the organ and just a suspect before the puncture. Such test punctures are used for pleurisy, pericarditis, meningitis. This is important when there is doubt about the presence of a subperiosteal or even deep in the tissues of the located foci of purulent inflammation, when other research data are inconclusive. In a word, such a puncture, without observing the well-known rules and precautions, is a great danger to the patient, is in the hands of a doctor an indispensable diagnostic tool.
For excretion of substances
A puncture is shown for the release of a large number of liquid and even gaseous products of activity from certain organs of the human body or the accumulation of products of pathological contents of one of its departments. So, with urinary retention, a puncture of the bladder above the pubis is shown, with ascites, a puncture of the anterior abdominal wall is indicated, with acute exudative, traumatic pericarditis or with pneumonia hematorx, thoracocentesis is indicated. With hydrocele of the testicle or dropsy of the knee, a puncture is performed to remove the pathological fluid.
The listed four categories of indications can be divided essentially into 4 groups of punctures:
- surgical sutures related to surgical techniques for combining tissues of the human body;
- therapeutic punctures, which are used to administer medicinal or indifferent substances;
- injection punctures, for evacuation of trapped liquids or gases - evacuation puncture;
- diagnostic punctures for diagnosis by obtaining fluid or tissue for examination, or by directly probing the underlying pathological formations in the depths of the tissue.
Currently, according to some authors, the need for diagnostic punctures is decreasing. On the one hand, this is due to the use in surgery of a wider opening of the surgical field and work under the control of vision. On the other hand, the advent of new diagnostic equipment and research methods (ultrasound diagnostics, computed tomography, nuclear magnetic resonance, angiography and other methods of x-ray and electronic diagnostics).
Despite this, diagnostic punctures still fully enjoy the well-deserved right of citizenship in surgical practice, not to mention the fact that the field of application for surgical and therapeutic punctures is increasing. Operations for wounds of the heart, blood vessels, central nervous system and transplantation of organs and tissues where vascular sutures are used, for example, a vascular suture according to Carrell, have come into use. To the above should be added and punctures, which provide both diagnostic and therapeutic effect. These include the use of various types of cavity endoscopes.