Percutaneous catheter drainage of abdominal abscess after abdominal surgery. Results in 121 cases

One hundred and twenty-one peritoneal, retroperitoneal and pelvic abscesses were treated percutaneously using CT or US guidance. The lesions developed after abdominal surgery. Sixty-three abscesses (52%) were situated in the peritoneal cavity, 31 (26%) in the retroperitoneal cavity and 27 (22%) in the pelvis. A definitive treatment was obtained in 74% of peritoneal abscesses, 67% of retroperitoneal abscesses and 82% of pelvic abscesses. Failure most commonly occurred with multiloculated lesions or lesions associated with fistulous communication. There was a low rate of complication (1%). percutaneous drainage avoids the risks inherent in surgery and anesthesia, saves considerable time and meets greater patient acceptance. If a total cure is not systematic, a beneficial temporizing effect may however be obtained by percutaneous drainage. This procedure should be indicated for the initial treatment of postsurgical abscesses.