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[An update in the treatment of intra-abdominal abscesses]
G Vadalà1, V Caragliano, R Castorina
1Cattedra di Chirurgia d'Urgenza e Pronto Soccorso, Università degli Studi, Catania.
Background And Aims:
Intra-abdominal abscesses represent a relatively severe complication in gastroenterological surgery owing to their association with high levels of morbidity and mortality.
Methods:
The authors report their experience between January 1990 and January 1996 in 11 patients with intra-abdominal abscesses secondary to emergency surgery for gastroenterology in 10 cases and gynecology in 1 case. After the lesion had been identified using ultrasonography and CT, it was emptied, washed with antibiotic and drained using Seldinger's ultrasonographic and CT-guided technique. Small abscesses (less than 5 mm) were completed removed.
Results:
The following results were obtained: the immediate disappearance of pain and fever, accompanied by improved general conditions, restoration of canalisation and closure of the abscess cavity (on average between 10 and 15 days).
Conclusions:
In conclusion, ultrasonographic-CT guided drainage of postoperative intra-abdominal abscesses, which were previously managed using surgical methods, appears to be the best treatment, relying on the use of imaging techniques and thereby allowing both morbidity and mortality to be reduced.