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Culdocentesis is a medical procedure involving the extraction of fluid from the rectouterine pouch (pouch of Douglas)[1] posterior to the vagina through a needle. It can be one diagnostic technique used in identifying pelvic inflammatory disease (in which case purulent fluid will be extracted) and ruptured ectopic pregnancies that cause hemoperitoneum.[2]
In the procedure, the rectouterine pouch is often reached through the posterior fornix of the vagina. The process of creating the hole is called colpotomy if a scalpel incision is made to drain the fluid rather than using a needle.
See also
References
- ^ "culdocentesis" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
- ^ "Culdocentesis: Overview, Indications, Contraindications". 2019-11-09.
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External links
- MedlinePlus Encyclopedia: 003919
- "Culdocentesis and colpotomy" at World Health Organization
- Colpotomy at the U.S. National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
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