Abstract
Conventional radiologic methods had given the limited informations about itraabdominal abscesses. Today,however, CT and ultrasongraphy provide detailed anatomic location, number and dimension of intraabdominal abscessand also permit percutaneous placement of catheter large enough to effect drainage. Percutaneous catheter drainageof intraabdominal abscess now offers an alternative to surgery. This simple method of mechanical drainage, whenemployed with systemic antibiotics, can be successful in treating the majority of intraabdominal abscesses.Authors analysed 24 cases of percutaneous abdominal abscess drainage performed at chonnam Natinal UniverstiyHospital from May 1985 to June 1986. The results were as follows: 1. The sites of abscesses; liver in 14cases(58.3%), psoas muscle in 3 cases(12.5%), subphrenic space in 3 cases (12.5%), pelvic cavity in 2 cases(8.3%),perirenal space in 2 cases(8.3%). 2. Complications during or after procedures were minor in the majority of cases.3. Average duration of drainage was as follows: 7.8days in liver abscess, 15.3 days in psoas abscess, 6 days inpelvic abscess, 7 days in subphrenic abscess.