Suprapubic Aspiration Of The Bladder

Suprapubic aspiration of the bladder is an invasive method that is performed in neonates and infants in order to find out if they have any infection. Although it is not at all pleasant, it is the only way to obtain an uncontaminated sample.

We adults are used to having urine tests. However, for a child, this is quite difficult, especially if he is a nursing child. Suprapubic aspiration of the bladder is one way to minimize false negatives or positives.

How is suprapubic bladder aspiration performed?

Suprapubic aspiration of the bladder was a highly successful method developed by Stamey-Govan and Palmer. So much so that today it is still being put into practice.

To comment on how suprapubic aspiration of the bladder is carried out, we will rely on the study by Dr. Aliño López Suprapubic aspiration (Bladder puncture) .

As this pediatric specialist well points out, specific steps must be followed for suprapubic bladder aspiration to be successful.

Items to perform bladder puncture

Bladder puncture or suprapubic aspiration of the bladder requires special equipment to be carried out. These are some of the elements that must be present:

• 1 needle (21-25 gauge).
• Antiseptic solution (povidone iodine or alcohol).
• Sterile 5 ml syringe.
• Gloves and gauze.
• Jar for cultivation.

Steps to follow

Now that we know the equipment that is necessary to be at hand to be able to perform the suprapubic aspiration of the bladder , the following steps will be carried out:

• The patient’s bladder is checked for fullness. Otherwise, suprapubic bladder aspiration cannot be performed.
• The patient lies on a flat surface in a supine position.
• The suprapubic skin is cleansed with the antiseptic solution.

• The puncture point will be one or two centimeters above the pubic symphysis.
• The needle is inserted gently until urine enters the syringe.
• Sufficient urine is aspirated to perform the culture.
• The needle is withdrawn and the urine is transferred to the vial.

Complications in the process

Suprapubic aspiration of the bladder is not an easy procedure. For this reason, normally, the doctor who performs it has assistants who will hold the patient while he is in the supine position.

Ideally, the puncture site should be quiet and pleasant. The patient needs to be calm not to move and to make aspiration difficult to perform.

In some cases, urine may not be obtained. Then, you must wait up to an hour after you have performed the puncture to do it again.

There are a number of serious problems that can arise from suprapubic bladder aspiration. They are not very frequent, however, it is not bad to take them into account.

1. Transient hematuria

Hematuria is the presence of blood in the urine that can appear after performing suprapubic aspiration of the bladder with the first urination of the patient.

It is usually very rare for this to appear, but if it does, it is usually transitory. If it persists for more than two days, it is necessary to inform the doctor.

2. Intestinal perforation

If the puncture is not carried out in the correct place, an intestinal perforation may occur, which will cause what is intended to be avoided with this method: contamination of the sample.

In the event that this occurs, this problem must be treated and the possible infection that may arise prevented. Intestinal perforation usually occurs after several punctures performed on the same patient.

The Advantages of Suprapubic Bladder Suction

Although the procedure to perform the bladder puncture is not very pleasant, it is necessary in neonates and infants in whom it is assumed that there may be a urinary infection.

If this is not done and the urinary tract infection continues its course, it can lead to chronic urinary tract infections. In the most serious cases, it can affect the kidneys and spread throughout the body, putting life in danger.

Suprapubic aspiration is an effective way to solve a problem in neonates and infants in whom a urine sample cannot be drawn in the usual way.