View source for Culdocentesis

{{Short description|Surgical procedure to extract fluid from the rectouterine pouch}}
{{Infobox interventions |
  Name        = Culdocentesis |
  Image       = WeiblichesBeckenMedian.gif |
  Caption     = Sagittal section of the lower part of a female trunk, right segment. (Pouch of Douglas labeled at bottom right.) |
  ICD10       = |
  ICD9        = {{ICD9proc|70.0}} |
  MeshID      = |
  MedlinePlus = 003919 |
  OtherCodes  = |
}}

'''Culdocentesis''' is a medical procedure involving the extraction of fluid from the [[rectouterine pouch]] (pouch of Douglas)<ref>{{DorlandsDict|two/000025948|culdocentesis}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Culdocentesis: Overview, Indications, Contraindications|url = http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/83097-overview|date = 2019-11-09}}</ref>

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 ==
* [[Amniocentesis]]
* [[Colposcopy]]
* [[Culdoscopy]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{MedlinePlusEncyclopedia|003919}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20021015210030/http://www.who.int/reproductive-health/impac/Procedures/Culdocentesis_P69_P70.html "Culdocentesis and colpotomy"] at [[World Health Organization]]
* {{MeshName|Colpotomy}}

{{Urogenital surgical procedures}}

[[Category:Female genital procedures]]


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