Evaluation of Mars Interventional Tool Box (MITBO) Technique for Ultrasound-Guided Abdominal Drainage: A Retrospective Study of Safety and Feasibility in 111 Patients

IntroductionThe Mars Interventional Tool Box (MITBO) technique, a simplified drainage procedure using point-of-care ultrasound, provides a versatile solution for use in resource-limited environments, such as space missions and remote terrestrial regions. This study aims to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the MITBO technique in a clinical setting.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of 111 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided abdominal drainage using the MITBO technique between August 2022 and February 2023. The study included patients with abdominal collections (eg, intra-abdominal abscesses, gallbladder infections) as well as retroperitoneal procedures such as nephrostomies. Fluoroscopic or CT-guided cases were excluded. Feasibility was determined by the successful placement of drains under ultrasound guidance alone. Safety was assessed by documenting complications.ResultsThe overall technical success rate was 97%, with 3 cases of failure: 1 due to patient non-cooperation and 2 because of non-visualization of the collections. The complication rate was 4.5% (<i>n</i> = 5), all of which were minor. No major complications, such as hemorrhage or infection, were observed. Nephrostomies, accounting for 4% of the procedures, were performed exclusively by senior radiologists with 100% success.ConclusionThe MITBO technique demonstrated high success rates and a low complication profile, consistent with previous reports on standard drainage techniques. The standardized procedure is a promising alternative in environments where advanced imaging is unavailable. However, the limited sample size, especially for complex cases, and the exclusive performance of nephrostomies by experienced operators suggest the need for further studies to generalize these findings.