[Percutaneous drainage of intra-abdominal fluid collections using computed tomography]

Percutaneous catheter drainage guided by computed tomography has been used to treat 45 intraabdominal collections in 32 patients. The 45 drainages involved 15 pancreatic cysts of chronic pancreatitis, 15 spontaneous abscesses and 15 postoperative abscesses. The collections were treated either by one puncture only or by drainage, with a success rate of 87.5%. Morbidity was 2.2% (one right empyema after puncture of a postoperative right subphrenic abscess). Mortality was nil. Three inadequate drainages due to enteric communication required secondary surgery. It is concluded that, if the indications are correct, percutaneous drainage guided by CT is as good as surgery and involves lower morbidity and mortality.