Final answer:
The term for the surgical procedure to remove fluid from the cul-de-sac is culdocentesis, which is different from procedures related to hydrocephalus, such as the insertion of a shunt.
Step-by-step explanation:
The medical term for the surgical puncture to remove fluid from the cul-de-sac is culdocentesis. During this procedure, a needle is inserted through the vaginal wall into the space behind the uterus, known as the rectouterine pouch or cul-de-sac, to extract fluid for diagnostic purposes or to relieve pressure. This medical term is not to be confused with procedures like lumbar puncture or the insertion of a shunt for treating conditions such as hydrocephalus, where excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is drained to treat or manage symptoms. In the context of hydrocephalus treatment, a shunt is often placed to divert fluid from the brain ventricles to another area of the body, such as the abdominal cavity, where the fluid can be absorbed.