[Method for draining purulent parts of the liver]

Percutaneous draining of purulent cavities in the liver is an effective method for the treatment of pyogenic diseases of the organ. The traditional method, however, has some shortcomings which often lead to serious complications (intraperitoneal hemorrhage, escape of bile, breaking away of the catheter, hypostatic pneumonia, etc). The work deals with the results of treatment of 32 patients with purulent diseases of the liver. Abscess of the liver was found in 8 patients, subdiaphragmatic abscess in 6, suppurating hydatid cyst in 8, nonparasitic cyst in 5 patients. In 18 patients the traditional method of draining was applied, in 14 patients draining was conducted by a method suggested by the authors. Complications occurred in 11 patients treated by the traditional method, whereas in patients treated by the improved method the postoperative course was uneventful, no complications were encountered. Thus, the improved method for draining purulent cavities in the liver reduces significantly the incidence of postoperative complications and improves the results of treatment.