Use of the Transrectal Ultrasound Probe in Aspiration and Drainage in Pediatric Patients: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) probe use for aspiration and drainage of pelvic abscesses in children.

Materials And Methods: Patient demographics, procedural details, technical success, safety, and clinical course of TRUS procedures were retrospectively analyzed. Between 2007 and 2016, 118 TRUS-guided procedures were performed in 115 children (60 males, 55 females); median age was 12.4 years (range, 2.4-17.9 years) and median weight was 45 kg (range, 12.6-112 kg). Ten children were 5 years of age or younger.

Results: In total, 113/118 procedures were performed under general anesthesia. The rectum accommodated the probe and needle guide without resistance in all children (technical feasibility, 100%). Abscesses were anterior to the rectum in 116/118 and posterior in 2/118. One hundred twelve collections were drained, 4 were aspirated, and 2 procedures were aborted, both subsequently successfully drained (2 and 3 days later). One patient underwent repeat drainage after 28 months. No major complications were reported. Median times to temperature normalization was 0 days (mean, 1.2; range, 0-13 days), catheter dwell time 5 days (mean, 6; range, 2-21 days), drain removal to discharge 1 day (mean, 2; range, 0-41 days), and follow-up 117 days (mean, 195; range, 5-2,690 days).

Conclusions: TRUS-guided drainage using the TRUS probe and needle guide is a safe and effective method for aspiration and drainage of pelvic abscesses in children as young as 2 years.