Delayed recurrence of postoperative intra-abdominal abscess: an unusual case and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Although intra-abdominal abscess is one of the major complications of abdominal surgery, the literature documents only a few cases of recurrence after a long asymptomatic period.


METHODS
Case report and literature review.


RESULTS
A 66-year-old woman developed a primary subphrenic abscess secondary to anastomotic leakage after total gastrectomy. Percutaneous drainage succeeded in evacuating the abscess cavity, and broad-spectrum antibiotics apparently eradicated the infection. However, a recurrent subphrenic abscess appeared eight years later with no intervening signs or symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
The unexpected outcome in this case may call into question the appropriate follow-up period after treatment for subphrenic abscess. Our experience indicates that clinicians should be aware of the possibility of rare delayed recurrence of intra-abdominal abscess.
Tomita
Hiroyuki
H
Department of Surgery, Sekigahara General Hospital, Gifu, Japan. j2111706@guedu.cc.gifu-u.ac.jp
Osada
Shinji
S
Miya
Kiichi
K
Matsuo
Masayuki
M
D000368:Aged; D016971:Citrobacter freundii / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D012008:Recurrence; D013369:Subphrenic Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed