Percutaneous

Percutaneous refers to any medical procedure where access to inner organs or other tissue is done via needle-puncture of the skin, rather than by using an "open" approach where inner organs or tissue are exposed (typically with the use of a scalpel). The percutaneous approach is commonly used in vascular procedures. This involves a needle catheter getting inserted into a blood vessel, duct or hollow organ, with the puncture site being enlarged to allow for the insertion of larger devices such as sheaths and balloons.

Procedure

The percutaneous procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia. The area of the skin where the needle will be inserted is cleaned and sterilized. A local anesthetic is then applied to numb the area. The needle is then inserted through the skin and into the targeted area. The procedure can be guided using ultrasound, CT, or MRI to ensure accurate needle placement.

Applications

Percutaneous procedures are used in various fields of medicine including radiology, cardiology, and gastroenterology. They are used for diagnostic purposes such as biopsies, therapeutic purposes such as the drainage of abscesses, and in interventional radiology for minimally invasive procedures.

Risks

As with any medical procedure, there are risks associated with percutaneous procedures. These include infection, bleeding, and damage to surrounding tissues or organs. The risk of complications can be minimized by using imaging guidance and by following strict sterile technique.

See Also

• Minimally Invasive Procedures
• Interventional Radiology
• Biopsy
• Catheter