Punción

Punción is a medical procedure that involves inserting a needle or trocar into a body cavity, organ, or tissue to aspirate fluid, inject medication, or obtain a tissue sample. The term is derived from the Latin word "punctio," meaning a pricking or piercing.

There are various types of punción, classified by the site of insertion or the purpose of the procedure. For example, abdominal punción, also known as paracentesis, involves aspirating fluid from the abdominal cavity, often to diagnose or treat ascites. Thoracic punción, or thoracentesis, is used to remove fluid or air from the pleural space surrounding the lungs. Lumbar punción, or spinal tap, is performed to collect cerebrospinal fluid from the spinal canal for diagnostic purposes or to administer anesthesia. Joint punción, arthrocentesis, is used to drain excess fluid from a joint or inject medication.

Punción is also employed for diagnostic purposes, such as obtaining a biopsy from a suspicious lesion or organ to identify cancerous cells or other abnormalities. In some cases, punción is used for therapeutic reasons, like draining an abscess or injecting chemotherapy drugs directly into a tumor.

The procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia to minimize discomfort. The needle size and type, as well as the technique used, vary depending on the specific type of punción and the patient's condition. While generally safe, potential complications include bleeding, infection, or damage to surrounding structures. Proper sterile technique and patient monitoring are crucial to ensure the safety and success of the procedure.