Intracavitary urokinase for enhancement of percutaneous abscess drainage: phase II trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of urokinase as an abscess-cavity irrigant during percutaneous abscess drainage.


METHODS
In a prospective study, approved by the Food and Drug Administration and the review board at our institution, urokinase and saline were used as abscess-cavity irrigants. In the study group of 42 patients, half the patients were randomly placed into the urokinase group and the other half were placed into the control saline group. Doses used varied with the size of the abscess. Data collected from patient charts were evaluated with standard statistical methods.


RESULTS
The results indicate definite benefits of the urokinase treatment. The length of stay (p = 0.0025) and treatment costs (p = 0.0021) were significantly less for the urokinase group. Other clinical parameters, including the febrile course, elevated WBC, and days of drainage, trended in a favorable fashion.


CONCLUSIONS
Urokinase injected intracavitarily is an effective technique for shortening the treatment time and improves the clinical course for patients treated with percutaneous drainage techniques.
Haaga
J R
JR
Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University, OH 44106-5056, USA.
Nakamoto
D
D
Stellato
T
T
Novak
R D
RD
Gavant
M L
ML
Silverman
S G
SG
Bellmore
M
M
D000038:Abscess / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004322:Drainage / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D012965:Sodium Chloride; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator