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Laparoscopic Management of Hepatic Abscess From Ingested Chicken Bone
Jai W Hoff1, George Castrisos1, Goutham Sivasuthan1
1General Surgery, Rockhampton Hospital, Rockhampton, AUS.
Cureus
|March 24, 2021
Summary
A rare case of hepatic abscess caused by a swallowed chicken bone highlights diagnostic challenges. Laparoscopic surgery and antibiotics led to successful recovery in this unusual presentation.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology
- Surgical Case Reports
Background:
- Hepatic abscesses are serious infections requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment.
- Foreign body ingestion, particularly from the gastrointestinal tract, is an uncommon cause of hepatic abscesses.
Observation:
- A 68-year-old male presented with severe right upper abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and lethargy, progressing to septic shock.
- Computer tomography imaging revealed a hepatic abscess.
- Exploratory laparoscopy identified a chicken bone fragment within the liver parenchyma as the cause.
Findings:
- The hepatic abscess was successfully managed with a second laparoscopic washout and a prolonged course of antibiotics.
- The patient experienced a full recovery after treatment.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering gastrointestinal foreign bodies in the differential diagnosis of hepatic abscesses, even in the absence of typical symptoms.
- Laparoscopic surgery can be an effective minimally invasive approach for managing hepatic abscesses secondary to foreign bodies.
- Early recognition and intervention are crucial for favorable outcomes in such rare presentations.
