[Is liver abscess still an indication for liver resection?].
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.
Knoop
M
M
Chirurgische Klinik und Poliklinik, Universitätsklinikum Rudolf Virchow der Freien Universität Berlin.
Kling
N
N
Langrehr
J M
JM
Bechstein
W O
WO
Blumhardt
G
G
Keck
H
H
Neuhaus
P
P
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
Gibt es noch eine Indikation zur Leberresektion bei Leberabszessen?