Percutaneous drainage of abscesses and fluid collections: technique, results, and applications

A combination of computed tomography, ultrasonography, and fluoroscopy was utilized to guide percutaneous catheter drainage of 58 abscesses and fluid collections in 51 patients. Cavities were evacuated in 53 cases, with surgery avoided in 44 of these. There were two failures and six recurrences. The mean duration of catheter drainage was seven days. Five complications occurred, including a small bowel fistula and a lacerated mesenteric vessel. Based on this experience, guidelines for drainage are presented, as well as principles for the critical step of access route planning. Double-lumen sump drainage catheters and the irrigation procedure have simplified and improved drainage. Causes and solutions for unsatisfactory results are defined.