Management of Postoperative Abscess Following Gynecologic Surgery

Forty-nine postoperative abscesses were encountered following 1600 major pelvic procedures. Abdominal and vaginal procedures were complicated by abscess formation in 0.7% and 4% of cases, respectively. The average time between surgery and recognition of the pelvic abscess was 18 days. A positive correlation between surgery performed during the luteal phase and abscess formation was noted. Fifty-five percent of pelvic abscesses treated by primary vaginal drainage required eventful laparotomy for final eradiction of disease. An aggressive approach to abscess management is felt to be justified in this disease entity.