Conservative management of pelvic abscess in recurrent pelvic inflammatory disease

The recent incidence of acute-on-chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, with associated abscess formation, has dramatically increased. Recurrent abscess formation in chronic pelvic inflammatory disease that fails to respond to maximal antibiotic treatment has been traditionally treated by open surgical drainage, frequently accompanied by pelvic clearance.With the development of techniques associated with in vitro fertilization, treatment can now be effected allowing conservation of fertility. This paper describes 12 cases of ultrasound-directed transvaginal fine-needle aspiration of pelvic abscess. A positive outcome occurred in all patients, thus avoiding major surgery.