OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience with transrectal drainage of deep abdominal or pelvic abscesses guided by ultrasonography and fluoroscopy. DESIGN: Open study. SETTING: Teaching hospital, Sweden. SUBJECTS: Eight seriously ill patients with deep abdominal or pelvic abscesses. INTERVENTION: Ultrasonographic and fluoroscopic transrectal drainage. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical follow-up. RESULTS: Eight patients (2 septic, 2 with high fever, and 2 with moderate fever) were effectively and safely drained without general anaesthesia. Their condition improved considerably within hours after drainage. Three patients had recurrent abscesses as a result of the underlying disease. The drainage overcame the sepsis in two patients and allowed a later elective operation. CONCLUSIONS: Transrectal ultrasonographic and fluoroscopic drainage is an effective and safe method for treatment of deep abdominal or pelvic abscesses in seriously ill patients.
OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience with transrectal drainage of deep abdominal or pelvic abscesses guided by ultrasonography and fluoroscopy. DESIGN: Open study. SETTING: Teaching hospital, Sweden. SUBJECTS: Eight seriously ill patients with deep abdominal or pelvic abscesses. INTERVENTION: Ultrasonographic and fluoroscopic transrectal drainage. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical follow-up. RESULTS: Eight patients (2 septic, 2 with high fever, and 2 with moderate fever) were effectively and safely drained without general anaesthesia. Their condition improved considerably within hours after drainage. Three patients had recurrent abscesses as a result of the underlying disease. The drainage overcame the sepsis in two patients and allowed a later elective operation. CONCLUSIONS: Transrectal ultrasonographic and fluoroscopic drainage is an effective and safe method for treatment of deep abdominal or pelvic abscesses in seriously ill patients.