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.