Percutaneous transhepatic drainage of inaccessible postoperative abdominal abscesses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transhepatic drainage of inaccessible postoperative intraabdominal abscesses under sonographic and fluoroscopic guidance.

Between February 2005 and September 2010, 30 abscesses were treated in 30 patients. Procedures were performed with sonographic and fluoroscopic guidance under i.v. sedation and local anesthesia. Factors affecting results were evaluated statistically.

The technical and clinical success rates were 100% and 97%. The procedures were performed with 8-, 10-, and 12-French locking pigtail catheters. The catheters were in place for a mean duration of 75 days if a fistula was present and 15 days in the absence of fistula. Major complications were not detected during treatment. The rate of minor complications (catheter dislodgement, obstruction, kinking) was 20%. Most of the complications were managed by exchange, revision, or increase in size of the catheter. When use of an 8-French catheter was compared separately with use of 10- and 12-French catheters, the rate of minor complications was found to be significantly higher for the 8-French group (p < 0.05). Five abscesses had fistulous communication with the pancreatic duct, jejunum, and biliary system. The mean duration of catheter use was increased by the presence of a fistula (p < 0.05). When single-microbe, polymicrobial, and culture-negative abscesses were compared, the difference between groups with respect to mean duration of catheter use was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Mean duration also did not differ significantly between patients with an abscess volume greater than and those with an abscess volume less than 100 mL (p > 0.05).

Transhepatic drainage of intraabdominal abscesses under sonographic and fluoroscopic guidance is safe and effective. Abscess content and volume did not affect drainage time, but the presence of a fistula increased the duration of catheter use. The rate of catheter-related complication was highest in the group with 8-French catheters. The rates in the groups with 10- and 12-French catheters did not differ significantly. We suggest the use of 10-French catheters for transhepatic drainage.