title: Drainoscopy: a doorway to the abdomen in the post-surgical patient.
abstract: The ability to optically visualize the abdominal cavity in the post-surgical patient can prove to be invaluable, particularly when imaging studies and exam findings can be difficult to interpret. Post-surgical drains are often used and provide a window into the abdominal cavity. In this proof-of-concept study, it is demonstrated that an ordinary drain can be used as a point of access and hence a doorway into the abdominal cavity. This technique has been termed drainoscopy, and the approach is demonstrated with video supplement.
authors.affiliation: Florida Hospital, Winter Park, FL, USA, atallah@post.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Atallah
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: deBeche-Adams
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Imam
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Amir
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery*; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*