What are the indications for culdocentesis?
Culdocentesis is a procedure to obtain free fluid from the cul de sac of women. Physicians who provide comprehensive or gynecologic care to women should be capable of this procedure. The main indications are suspected ectopic pregnancy and suspected acute salpingitis or pelvic inflammatory disease.
What are the complications of ectopic pregnancy?
The most common complication is rupture with internal bleeding which may lead to hypovolemic shock. In the first trimester, ectopic pregnancy is the most common cause of pregnancy-related deaths and 10% of maternal deaths may be due to ectopic pregnancy.
What is a positive finding of culdocentesis if positive ectopic pregnancy?
In a woman suspected of having an ectopic gestation, the aspiration of nonclotting, bloody fluid has a positive predictive value of about 85% for the presence of EP.
Is the rectouterine pouch same as the pouch of Douglas?
The rectouterine pouch (TA: excavatio rectouterina 3), also known as the rectovaginal pouch, cul-de-sac or pouch of Douglas, is an extension of peritoneum between the posterior wall of uterus and the rectum in females.
What is a positive culdocentesis?
A positive culdocentesis is determined by the aspirated blood having a hematocrit of 0.15 or greater (15 % or greater). A non-diagnostic culdocentesis occurs when clotted blood is obtained, or no fluid is aspirated at all. If the needle inadvertently punctures an artery or vein, the blood will clot.[3]
What can you do to prevent ectopic pregnancy?
There is no way to prevent an ectopic pregnancy, but you can lower your risk by using condoms when you have sex (before you try to conceive) to help prevent sexually transmitted infections and reduce the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease. You can also stop smoking, if you smoke.
What is the prognosis for ectopic pregnancy?
Prognosis for Ectopic Pregnancy Ectopic pregnancy is fatal to the fetus, but if treatment occurs before rupture, maternal death is rare. In the US, ectopic pregnancy probably accounts for 9% of pregnancy-related maternal deaths.
When do you do culdocentesis?
Culdocentesis is a procedure which checks for abnormal fluid in the space that is just behind the vagina, the posterior cul-de-sac. This procedure is done when pain occurs in the lower abdomen and pelvic regions, and other tests suggest that fluid may be present in the cul-de-sac.
Why is it called pouch of Douglas?
The rectouterine pouch is also known as excavatio recto-uterina (literally, the rectouterine excavation) and the pouch of Douglas, after the Scottish anatomist James Douglas (1675-1742) who explored this region of the female body and left his name attached to at least 3 other structural features in the area.