Percutaneous drainage of abscesses in patients with Crohn's disease

The hospital courses of 9 patients with intraabdominal abscesses and Crohn's disease who underwent abscess drainage utilizing percutaneous techniques were reviewed. Percutaneous methods brought about resolution of fever, leukocytosis, and the abscess cavity in 8 patients. In 5 of these, definitive cure was achieved with percutaneous drainage. In 3, single-stage bowel surgery and fistulectomy were performed following resolution of the abscess cavities and improvement of clinical signs and symptoms. All patients had uncomplicated postoperative courses. Percutaneous drainage should be the initial drainage procedure in treating postoperative abscesses, and, when performed preoperatively, can diminish surgical morbidity.