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Updated: Jul 5, 2026
06:02
Posterior Approach for Debridement of the Psoas Abscess
Published on: March 2, 2020
Psoas abscess rarely requires surgical intervention.
Wael N Yacoub1, Helen J Sohn, Sirius Chan
1Division of Emergency Surgery, Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA.
American Journal of Surgery
|May 10, 2008
Summary
Nonsurgical management is highly successful for psoas abscesses, with 90% success rates. Antibiotics alone can treat small abscesses, reserving surgery for complex recurrences.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Surgical Pathology
- Medical Algorithms
Background:
- Psoas abscesses are increasingly common surgical challenges.
- Understanding current treatment patterns is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate treatment modalities and outcomes for psoas abscesses.
- To develop a contemporary management algorithm for psoas abscesses.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 41 adult patients with psoas abscess.
- Analysis of treatment approaches including open drainage, percutaneous drainage, and antibiotics alone.
- Evaluation of patient characteristics, causes, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- 18 primary and 23 secondary psoas abscesses identified.
- Intravenous drug abuse and prior abdominal surgery were common causes.
- Percutaneous drainage was the most frequent intervention (63%), followed by antibiotics alone (34%).
- Nonsurgical management achieved 90% success; recurrences were noted in the percutaneous group.
Conclusions:
- Initial nonsurgical management of psoas abscesses demonstrates high success rates.
- Antibiotics alone are effective for small abscesses.
- Surgery should be reserved for complicated or recurrent cases.
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