ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Minerva Chirurgica 1999 April;54(4):245-50

Copyright © 1999 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

State-of-the-art treatment for intrabdominal abscesses

Vadalà G., Caragliano V., Castorina R., Caragliano L., Caragliano P.

Background and aims. Intrabdominal abscesses represent a relatively severe complication in gastroenterological surgery owing to their association with high levels of morbidity and mortality.
Methods. The authors report their experience between January 1990 and January 1996 in 11 patients with intrabdominal abscesses secondary to emergency surgery for gastroenterology in 10 cases and gynecology in 1 case. After the lesion had been identified using ultrasonography and CT, it was emptied, washed with antibiotic and drained using Saldinger's ultrasonographic and CT-guided technique. Small abscesses (less than 5 mm) were completed removed.
Results. The following results were obtained: the immediate disappearance of pain and fever, accompanied by improved general conditions, restoration of canalisation and closure of the abscess cavity (on average between 10 and 15 days).
Conclusions. In conclusion, ultrasonographic-CT guided drainage of postoperative intrabdominal abscesses, which were previously managed using surgical methods, appears to be the best treatment, relying on the use of imaging techniques and thereby allowing both morbidity and mortality to be reduced.