©millercatheter
Description
Uterine infusion is a procedure that involves direct administration of a substance, fluid, nutrient or a drug directly into the uterus of a female. This is usually carried out by means of gravitation force when the infusion is held way above the position of the patient. During this procedure it is obligation to maintain sterilization and ensure that the procedure is carried out in aseptic conditions. The equipment must be checked before, during and after the infusion process to make sure that it is functioning properly without any mechanical difficulty. Presence of an expert physician or preferably a gynecologist is mandatory when an intrauterine infusion is being carried out.
Just like infusion in any other part of the body, intrauterine infusion is also susceptible to incidence of allergic reaction. So, the general and local signs must be monitored through out the procedure and any cardiac or respiratory difficulties must be tended to promptly.
The equipment for intrauterine infusions is available in the form of kits. Most of the kits include following items
- Gloves
- Disinfectants
- Towels
- Pipettes
- Catheters
- Infusion drug or substances
- Disposable syringes
- Infusion tubing
- Sterilized napkins
- Speculum
Procedure:
- After cleansing of the vulva with antiseptic agent the patient is draped in sterile sheets.
- Towels are placed under the operating field to avoid the inter-contamination between operating site and the beddings.
- Speculum is inserted inside the vagina and its beaks are opened to visualize the opening of uterus, cervix.
- Intrauterine catheter is inserted into the uterus through cervix under direct vision. Optimum light and help of the assistance might be required. Most of the time intrauterine infusions are used during pregnancy so it is essential to ensure that the correct intra or extra amniotic cavity position of the catheter.
- The balloon of the catheter is inflated with 10-30ml (depending upon the size of catheter and recommendation of the manufacturers) of distilled water. The infusion set is arranged into the position.
- A few milliliter of normal saline might be injected through the catheter a slow rate to check the presence of catheter inside the uterine cavity.
- It is recommended to administer a small quantity of drug at first as a test dose to minimize the chances of any acute allergic reaction.
- At first the rate of infusion is kept slow that can be increased later on when it becomes evident that patient is not likely to have any hypersensitivity to the drug.
- Advise the patient to avoid changing posture abruptly and ensure that the drug container is always at least 3 feet above the level of patient.
- Once the infusion is complete close the flow of infusion through infusion set.
- Aspirate the distilled water injected into the balloon completely through a disposable sterile syringe.
- Gently pull out the catheter out of the uterus and vulva.