Etymed
culdocentesis
Definition
Surgical puncture of the cul-de-sac (the pouch of Douglas) to aspirate fluid or blood, often performed in gynecological procedures
Clinical context
A 24-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with severe left lower quadrant pain and dizziness. On examination, she has cervical motion tenderness and a tender mass in the left adnexa. Pelvic ultrasound shows free fluid in the pelvis. Culdocentesis is performed to confirm the presence of blood and rule out ectopic pregnancy.
Mnemonic
Culdocentesis = 'Cul-de-sac' puncture for 'Douglas' fluid collection