[Treatment of intra-abdominal abscesses by ultrasonically guided fine-needle puncture]

23 abdominal abscesses were diagnosed by ultrasound and confirmed by sonographically guided puncture. 18 cases were treated by an evacuating needle puncture and 5 cases by sonographically guided percutaneous drainage. In 12 out of 15 patients, fine needle puncture was curative without surgery required (80%). 2 out of 4 patients treated by percutaneous drainage had to be operated. Initially, 4 patients were operated, though after fine needle puncture or drainage a complete remission of symptoms and leukocytosis was observed. There were 2 complications: one hemorrhage leading to death following fine needle puncture of a pancreatic abscess and one temporary septicaemia. Sonographically guided fine needle puncture is simple and effective procedure in treatment of abdominal abscesses and should be considered as an alterative to surgery.