Results of sonographically guided percutaneous catheter drainage of intra-abdominal abscesses in surgery

The results of a retrospective study concerning percutaneous catheter drain age of 62 intra-abdominal abscesses in 60 patients were demonstrated, inclu ding the procedure and complications. For the first access a thin needle wa s used to perform an aspiration biopsy under sonographic control. We placed a pigtail or van Sonnenberg catheter by Seldinger or trocar technique into the abscesses. The primary success rate of percutaneous drainage was 85%. Complications occurred in 6.4% of the cases with a mortality of 0%. This me thod is an acceptable alternative to surgery for many patients. Ultrasound- guided percutaneous catheter drainage is the method of choice for uncomplic ated abscesses, especially in the critically ill patient.