title: [Is liver abscess still an indication for liver resection?].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The standard therapy for liver abscesses consists of percutaneous drainage. In certain cases a liver resection may be indicated. The indication for liver resection in six patients with liver abscess is analysed retrospectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 7.7.87-13.10.93 six patients (4 male, 2 fem.) in the age of 40-72 years (mean 59 yrs.) underwent liver resection for liver abscess at our institution. The patients suffered from symptoms of a progressive liver abscess formation: fever, hepatomegaly, loss of weight, jaundice and anorexia. Abscess localization was performed preoperatively by ultrasound and CT. Drainage attempts were unsuccessful in these patients, resections were carried out for suspicion of malignancy or during a laparotomy due to other reasons.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Liver resections were left and right hemihepatectomy (1x each), left lateral resection (3x) and one wedge resection. Intraoperative blood transfusion requirements were not different from those of other indications for resection. Postoperative hospitalization lasted 12-33 days (mean 19 days). The postoperative course was uneventful, in one case a hematoma at the resection site required drainage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Resection for liver abscesses is indicated only in exceptional cases but allows for definite therapy.
authors.affiliation: Chirurgische Klinik und Poliklinik, Universitätsklinikum Rudolf Virchow der Freien Universität Berlin.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Knoop
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kling
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Langrehr
authors.forename: W O
authors.initials: WO
authors.lastname: Bechstein
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Blumhardt
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Keck
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Neuhaus
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008100:Liver Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
vernacular_title: Gibt es noch eine Indikation zur Leberresektion bei Leberabszessen?