Influence of a new prophylactic antibiotic therapy on the incidence of liver abscesses after chemoembolization treatment of liver tumors.

Intrahepatic abscess is a complication of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) treatment in patients who have a history of biliary reconstructive surgery. This study followed eight patients who underwent chemoembolization after biliary surgery. These patients were divided into two groups. Patients in group one (n = 4) were administered intravenous cephalexin for prophylaxis. Patients in group two (n = 4) were administered bowel preparation and tazobactam/piperacillin. All patients in group one developed hepatic abscesses, which were treated with percutaneous catheter drainage and antibiotics. None of the patients in group two developed abscesses. Aggressive antibiotic prophylaxis with bowel preparation may provide protection against intrahepatic abscesses after chemoembolization in patients who have a history of biliary reconstructive surgery.