Transrectal catheter drainage of deep abdominal and pelvic abscesses usingcombined ultrasonography and fluoroscopy

Objective: To describe our experience with transrectal drainage of deep abd ominal or pelvic abscesses guided by ultrasonography and fluoroscopy. Design: Open study. Setting: Teaching hospital, Sweden. Subjects: Eight seriously ill patients with deep abdominal or pelvic absces ses. Intervention: Ultrasonographic and fluoroscopic transrectal drainage. Main outcome measures: Clinical follow-up. Results: Eight patients (2 septic, 2 with high fever, and 2 with moderate f ever) were effectively and safely drained without general anaesthesia. Thei r condition improved considerably within hours after drainage. Three patien ts had recurrent abscesses as a result of the underlying disease. The drain age overcame the sepsis in two patients and allowed a later elective operat ion. Conclusions: Transrectal ultrasonographic and fluoroscopic drainage is an e ffective and safe method for treatment of deep abdominal or pelvic abscesse s in seriously ill patients.