…are as a rule left open. Facial bites can be sutured after careful debridement because of the cosmesis, often with antibiotic prophylaxis. Deep puncture wounds …

…is decided before the needle goes in: the choice of site, the use of ultrasound throughout the puncture, and maintaining maximal barrier precautions without shortcuts…

…complete heart block without current symptoms, alternating bundle branch block in acute anterior infarction, and before drugs or procedures with a known risk of bradycardia…

…bacterial CNS infections states that CT must not be performed before lumbar puncture in suspected bacterial meningitis — not even with a reduced level of consciousness…

…standard — puncture on the basis of percussion and a chest radiograph alone belongs to an earlier era. The needle is inserted close to the upper…

…the puncture went. Indications Unexplained cytopenia in one or more cell lines. Suspected acute leukaemia, myelodysplastic syndrome or myeloproliferative neoplasm. Work up and staging of…

…disease. Contraindications Infection of the skin or soft tissues over the puncture site — use another approach or refrain. Bacteraemia without suspicion of joint infection (relative…

…Scan the left lower quadrant. Confirm at least 2–3 cm of free fluid depth with no bowel in the path of the needle and…

…the puncture site. An arm with an arteriovenous fistula, previous axillary clearance or lymphoedema. A limb with paresis or marked swelling. A vein suspected of…

…a small amount of lidocaine without adrenaline (epinephrine). 3. Puncture 1–2 cm proximal to the wrist crease at an angle of 30–45 degrees…