Transrectal and transvaginal abscess drainage.

The TR and TV approaches to deep pelvic abscesses have been made safe and easy by improvements in endoluminal US technology. Most procedures take well under an hour, and standard intravenous sedation is usually sufficient for patient comfort. The simplest and safest technique employs a combination of endoluminal US, with biopsy guides for precision needle advancement, and fluoroscopy for dilating the tract and placing a drainage catheter. Patient acceptance of TR and TV catheters is high, and resolution can typically be expected within 3-5 days. In the majority of cases, catheter treatment, combined with antibiotic therapy, is curative.