title: US-guided catheter drainage of postoperative head and neck fluid collections.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze results of percutaneous catheter drainage of large fluid collections in the head and neck region noted in the immediate postoperative period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four consecutive patients with 41 large fluid collections in the head and neck detected 7-10 days after oncologic surgery underwent percutaneous catheter drainage. There were 29 men and five women, with a mean age of 52.2 years (95% CI: 47.8-56.7). Each patient had a surgical drain placed in the posterior neck triangle; three patients had low-grade fever and six had diabetes at the time of percutaneous catheter drainage. Conventional management consisting of serial needle aspirations at bedside followed by pressure dressing failed in 15 of 34 patients (44%). Ultrasound-guided drainage was performed and catheters were connected to vacuum balls for continuous suction drainage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average fluid volume estimated by sonographic measurement was 84 cm(3) (95% CI: 57-112 cm(3)). The fluid content was serosanguinous in 46% (19 of 41), uncoagulated blood in 32% (13 of 41), pus in 15% (six of 41), and saliva in 7% (three of 41). The mean duration of catheter drainage was nine days (95% CI: 7-10 d) and mean fluid drainage was 287 mL (95% CI: 188-387 mL). Ninety-one percent of patients (31 of 34) were successfully treated with initial catheter drainage. Three patients had recurrent fluid collections at the same locations: two were treated with repeated catheter insertions and one required a limited open drainage. No complication related to catheter drainage was noted at 6-month follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Percutaneous catheter drainage is effective for large fluid collections in the head and neck region noted in the immediate postoperative period irrespective of contents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Tao Yuan, Taiwan, R.O.C. kmyeow@adm.cgmh.org.tw
authors.forename: Kee-Min
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Yeow
authors.forename: Chun-Ta
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Pei-Kwei
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Tsay
authors.forename: I-How
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ming-Hui
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Hung-Chi
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Fu-Chan
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Wei
mesh_terms: D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D005122:Exudates and Transudates; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006406:Hematoma / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D037981:Neck Dissection; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D012463:Saliva; D013492:Suppuration; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional