Use of portable ultrasound to assist urine collection by suprapubic aspiration.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To determine whether portable ultrasound can improve the success rate of suprapubic aspiration (SPA).

DESIGN

Patients were randomly assigned to either ultrasound or no ultrasound groups. In the ultrasound group, patients underwent SPA if ultrasound revealed urine in the bladder: if no urine was present, patients underwent catheterization instead of SPA. In the no-ultrasound group, SPA was attempted without ultrasound. All unsuccessful SPAs were followed by catheterization and measurement of urine volume.

SETTING

Children's hospital-based pediatric emergency department.

PARTICIPANTS

Children less than 2 years old who required SPA.

INTERVENTIONS

Ultrasound versus no ultrasound.

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients were randomized to the ultrasound group, and 31 were randomized to the no-ultrasound group. SPA was successful in 79% of attempts in the ultrasound group compared with 52% in the no-ultrasound group (P = .04). The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound were 90% and 86%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Portable ultrasound can significantly improve the success rate of SPA and limit nonproductive attempts at SPA.