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Updated: Mar 28, 2026
Posterior Approach for Debridement of the Psoas Abscess
Published on: March 2, 2020
Midline extraperitoneal approach for bilateral widespread retroperitoneal abscess originating from anorectal
Koji Okuda1, Yuka Oshima1, Kentaro Saito1
1Department of Surgery, Sapporo City General Hospital, 13-1-1 Kita Juichijo Nishi Chuo-ku Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8604, Japan.
Introduction:
Anorectal abscess is one of the most common anorectal conditions encountered in practice. However, such abscesses may rarely extend upward and cause life-threatening medical conditions.
Presentation Of Case:
A 53-year-old woman presented with symptoms of anorectal abscess and evidence of severe inflammatory response and acute kidney injury. Computed tomography revealed a widespread abscess extending to the bilateral retroperitoneal spaces. Surgical drainage was performed via a totally extraperitoneal approach through a lower midline abdominal incision, and the patient had a rapid and uncomplicated recovery.
Discussion:
Although retroperitoneal abscesses originating from the anorectal region are rare, they are life-threating events that require immediate treatment. Percutaneous abscess drainage has been recently evolved; however, surgical drainage is required sometimes that may be challenging, particularly in the case of widespread abscesses, as in our case.
Conclusion:
The midline extraperitoneal approach reported here might be an effective surgical option for patients with bilateral widespread retroperitoneal abscesses.
