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){{DorlandsDict|two/000025948|culdocentesis}} 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.{{Cite web|title = Culdocentesis: Overview, Indications, Contraindications|url = http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/83097-overview|date = 2019-11-09}}

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.