title: Innovative non-surgical management of pelvic and anterior vaginal wall abscess following vaginal surgery.
abstract: Surgical site infections remain a common cause of morbidity following gynaecological surgery. The widespread implementation of antibiotic prophylaxis prior to surgery, as well as cognizance of modifiable risk factors for postoperative infection, has led to a significant reduction in postoperative infection rates. However, in low resource settings where sepsis and infections are common, surgical site infections following vaginal hysterectomy are sometimes encountered. It is a challenge to treat these infections with minimal intervention avoiding repeat surgery. We report here a unique situation following vaginal hysterectomy and then laparotomy; where a pelvic abscess communicated with the vesicovaginal space and drained through an opening into the anterior vaginal wall. An innovative technique was used to drain this anterior vaginal wall abscess connecting to pelvic cavity using a 40 cm long disposable urinary catheter (made of polyvinyl chloride), which was inserted into the vaginal opening under ultrasound guidance.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors: Nisha
authors: N
authors: Singh
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors: Neha
authors: N
authors: Negi
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors: Namrata
authors: N
authors: Kumar
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007045:Hysterectomy, Vaginal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010388:Pelvis; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D062885:Urinary Catheters; D014621:Vagina