MANAGEMENT OF LUNG ABSCESS WITH PERCUTANEOUS CATHETER DRAINAGE.

Percutaneous catheter drainage was used to treat 12 among 34 cases of lung abscesses, who were refractory to medical therapy, severely ill and high risk cases for surgery. A complete clinical and radiological recovery was achieved in all the cases who underwent catheter drainage, thereby obviating the need for surgery. None of the cases had catheter or procedures related complications. From this study it is inferred that percutaneous transthoracic catheter drainage is a safe and an effective modality of therapy for patients with lung abscess in whom medical therapy has failed and those who are unsuitable for surgery.