Hospital and home care of sutureless percutaneous catheters

Percutaneous catheter drainage of the biliary tree, kidney pelvis, and abdominal abscess cavities has become increasingly prevalent over the last ten years. These procedures, along with percutaneous gastrostomies, are safer to perform and can be accomplished when the patient is not a candidate for surgical placement. Because patients are usually discharged with the catheter in place, it is necessary to have a simple but effective dressing procedure. Catheters placed through the skin have traditionally been sutured to the skin to prevent displacement. This sutureless method employs a technique that is safely managed, not only by hospital staff but by patients and/or their home care givers as well. The written instruction for this procedure were developed by an ET Nurse in collaboration with the Radiologists who insert the catheters.