[Therapy of pyogenic liver abscess]

Between 1980 and 1986, 11 patients with pyogenic liver abscess were treated at the Department of Internal Medicine at the Kantonsspital St. Gallen. 2 patients underwent successful surgical drainage and 9 patients percutaneous needle aspiration or drainage. 7 were successfully treated while 2 required secondary surgical drainage. Our results suggest that percutaneous aspiration or drainage of pyogenic liver abscess should be tried before surgery is considered.