Surgical versus percutaneous drainage of intra-abdominal abscesses

Article Abstract:

Intra-abdominal abscesses (pockets of pus collected within the abdomen) can result from various disease processes. These abscesses can be drained surgically or percutaneously, the latter meaning through the skin. A study was undertaken to determine if increased use of percutaneous drainage is justified, and to determine if a particular group of patients is better treated by one or the other method. The medical records of 83 patients were reviewed; 41 had surgical drainage and 42 had percutaneous drainage. There was no significant difference between the patient groups in APACHE II scores (a method of quantifying severity of illness), and the groups were matched for patient age, abscess location, and cause of abscess. Mortality for the two groups was similar, at 14 percent for surgically treated patients and 12 percent for percutaneously treated patients. Complication rates were also similar: 26 percent for the surgery group and 29 percent for the percutaneous group. APACHE II scores were significantly higher in patients from both treatment groups who died, as well as in patients who developed complications. It was found that patients who had diverticular abscess (pockets of pus found in sacs protruding from the walls of the intestine) benefited from percutaneous treatment. This technique of drainage permitted later uncomplicated excision of the involved area of the intestine with primary anastomosis (reconnection of the cut ends) of the intestine. These findings support the use of percutaneous drainage of intra-abdominal abscesses and indicate that it is as effective as surgical drainage. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Methods, Drainage, Surgical, Drainage (Surgical)

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The role of sentinel lymph node biopsy in the management of thin melanoma

Article Abstract:

United States, Care and treatment, Evaluation, Development and progression, Metastasis, Cancer metastasis, Melanoma, Lymph nodes, Lymph node biopsy

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