Abstract
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.