 Following a discussion of the procedure with the patient, including its risks, benefits, alternatives and steps to prevent infection, informed written consent was obtained and documented in the patient's chart. The time-out form was completed to confirm patient identity and side/type of procedure. All operators present for the case performed standard preprocedural prep including hand washing, sterile gloves, mask and cap. The patient was prepped and draped in the usual aseptic fashion. Local anesthesia over the target area was obtained by 1% lidocaine. Targeted ultrasound examination demonstrates an heterogeneous but predominantly hypoechoic collection with numerous foci of internal echogenicity along the volar aspect of the first metacarpal, surrounding the flexor pollicis longus tendon, corresponding to the findings seen on recent MRI examination. There was no internal vascularity on Doppler interrogation. A 17-gauge needle was advanced into the collection under ultrasound guidance. Approximately 15 cc's of blood-tinged purulent fluid was aspirated from the collection. Specimens were placed in a sterile cup, black top anaerobic tube and green top tube. The specimens were hand delivered to the clinical service.The patient tolerated the procedure well without immediate complication. Routine post procedure instructions were communicated to the patient.ESTIMATED BLOOD LOSS: Less than 5cc. An adhesive bandage was placed on the patient’s skin.
Ultrasound guided aspiration of known fluid collection surrounding the flexor pollicis longus tendon of the right hand as described above.