title: Minimally invasive approach of tubo-ovarian abscesses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the treatment outcome of tubo-ovarian abscesses managed by transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive analysis of all patients with tubo-ovarian abscesses treated with a minimally invasive procedure, ultrasound-guided drainage, at the Department of Gynecology, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, during a period of 5 years (from June 2009 to June 2014).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-six cases were included in the study. The mean age of the study group was 42.8 years. All patients were submitted to transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration and sclerosis with iodated solution, as well as received broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics. The mean time from admission to drainage was 2.5 days. Cultures for aerobic and anaerobic pathogens were positive in 14 of the 26 cases. A complete response was noted in 23 of the 26 cases. No complications or morbidity were noted as a consequence of the drainage procedures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Minimally invasive treatment of tubo-ovarian abscesses by transvaginal ultrasound-guided drainage is an effective and safe approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia, Espinho, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Fátima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia, Espinho, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasonography, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia, Espinho, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Godinho
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia, Espinho, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia, Espinho, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Graça
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ramalho
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasonography, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia, Espinho, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Valente
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D005184:Fallopian Tube Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D055815:Young Adult