Percutaneous drainage of abdominal abscesses: are large-bore catheters necessary?
OBJECTIVE
To find out whether small-bore catheters (7 F) are as effective as the 14F sump drains generally used for drainage of abdominal abscesses.


METHODS
Retrospective review.


METHODS
University hospital, Switzerland.


METHODS
64 patients with intra-abdominal abscesses.


METHODS
40 were drained with 7F pigtail catheters and 24 by 14F sump drains.


RESULTS
Drainage was successful in 34/40 (85%) and 20/24 (83%), respectively. There were 3 recurrences in the small-bore and 1 in the large-bore group (p=0.4). Mean drainage time was 8 (SD 5) days and 11 (SD 11) days, respectively (p=0.29). One patient (3%) developed a complication in the small-bore group and 2 (8%) in the large-bore group. 4/6 failures in the small-bore group and 1/4 failures in the large-bore group were pancreatic abscesses.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that percutaneous drainage with small-bore catheters is as effective as drainage with bigger tubes.
Department of Surgery, Zürich University Hospital, Switzerland.
M A
MA
Röthlin
O
O
Schöb
H
H
Klotz
D
D
Candinas
F
F
Largiadèr
D018784:Abdominal Abscess / Q000601:surgery*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects; D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000295:instrumentation; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors