Percutaneous drainage of postappendectomy abscesses complicated by enteric communication

Four patients with postappendectomy abscesses complicated by enteric fistulae were treated by percutaneous drainage. Sinograms, obtained at the time of the initial drainage, demonstrated communication to the cecum in 3 patients and to the small bowel in 1 patient. Complete cure was attained in 3 patients by percutaneous drainage. In the fourth patient, surgery was performed after 7 days of catheter drainage. Percutaneous drainage of abscesses with enteric communication requires a modified technique, which includes longer-term drainage than for simple noncommunicating abscesses.