OHSS Drainage

‍What to expect:

Please arrive at the clinic 60 minutes prior to your procedure time. Please do not eat or drink after midnight the night before this procedure.

You have been booked for this procedure as you are showing symptoms of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome, which is a rare (<5%) complication of fertility medications in which your ovaries swell and leak fluid into the body.  Most cases are mild and cause temporary discomfort, but if left untreated could create more serious issues.

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How to prepare instructions:

This procedure is done on a needs basis and you will be followed after your egg retrieval by one of the Pollin Toronto Surgery Center nurses. The follow up includes monitoring of your weight, fluid intake and output as well as waist measurement. A form will be given to you to help track any significant increases. 

We do take OHSS management seriously and Pollin Toronto, and you will likely be brought in for daily ultrasounds, as we monitor the fluid progression and your overall well being. Once the doctor has confirmed the need for the OHSS drainage, you will be booked in for a same day procedure or scheduled for an appointment the following day. 

This procedure typically takes anywhere from 20 - 45 min depending on the amount of fluid to be drained, is relatively painless, however you may feel some slight discomfort.  You will experience immediate improvement in your abdominal distention and discomfort, as well as improvement in your breathing.

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Procedure:

During this procedure you will be checked into one of our OR recovery suites, change into a gown and be prepped by a nurse for the procedure which will include explaining the procedure to you and offer you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have as well as go over procedure consent forms. You will be hooked up to a vital signs monitor in the bay and will be under constant monitoring before your procedure. 

You  will be escorted into the OR suite with a Pollin Toronto Nurse.  You will receive a local anaesthesia and possibly some sedation, depending on how you are tolerating the procedure.  Your physician will place an ultrasound probe with a needle guide attached into your vagina.  Ultrasound guidance is used for your physician to clearly visualise the location of the fluid in relation to the uterus and the best placement for the needle.  Once placement has been determined, your physician will advance the needle through the vaginal wall into the pocket of fluid that has accumulated around your uterus. 

It can take 25-40 minutes for the procedure to complete and some additional re-positioning may be needed during the procedure. Your Nurse will be assisting you the entire procedure and will be at your side for the duration of the procedure.

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Post procedure instructions:

Upon completion of the procedure, you will spend approximately 1 hour being monitored in a recovery suite until you are ready to leave the clinic.  During this time, you will be offered some snacks and given a high salt drink, if this is tolerated well, then we will remove your IV line and prepare you for discharge. We do ask for your support person to assist you and help monitor your OHSS symptoms once you are home. Your nursing team will be closely following you after your procedure, to ensure no additional complications or symptoms arise. 

Please review and follow all of the "how to prepare" and post procedure care instructions in the following section to ensure a successful procedure and optimal recovery.