percutaneous
Meaning of percutaneous: Percutaneous describes a procedure or medication that is delivered through the skin rather than by an open surgical incision.
Definition of percutaneous
Percutaneous describes something that passes through the skin, most often referring to a medical procedure performed by inserting a needle, catheter, or other instrument directly through the skin rather than through an open surgical incision. A percutaneous approach typically uses imaging guidance, such as ultrasound or x-ray, to direct the instrument precisely to its target without the surgeon needing to visualize the area directly.
Percutaneous procedures are used for a wide range of purposes, including draining fluid collections, taking a biopsy sample, placing a feeding tube, and treating certain blood vessel blockages by threading a catheter through the skin and into the vessel. Because these procedures avoid a larger surgical opening, they are generally associated with a smaller wound, less tissue disruption, and a shorter recovery than the equivalent open surgical procedure.
Percutaneous is also used to describe medications absorbed through the skin, such as certain hormone preparations delivered as a topical gel or patch rather than taken by mouth or given by injection.
Used in a sentence
A percutaneous biopsy was performed under ultrasound guidance to sample the liver lesion.
Good to know
A percutaneous procedure generally involves a smaller wound and shorter recovery than an equivalent open surgical approach, though it still requires imaging guidance to reach its target accurately.
Word origin
Where “percutaneous” comes from
Formed from Latin per-, meaning through, combined with cutis, meaning skin.