Sign in  |  Register

Illustrated Health Encyclopedia
[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Ency. home > Disease > I > Intra-abdominal abscess

Intra-abdominal abscess    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Abscess - intra-abdominal

Treatment

Treatment of intra-abdominal abscesses requires intravenous antibiotic therapy and drainage. Drainage can often be accomplished percutaneously, which involves passing a needle, then a drain over the needle, into the abscess cavity, usually under CT guidance. The drain is then left in place for days or weeks until the abscess resolves.

Occasionally, abscesses cannot be safely accessed with a percutaneous needle. In such cases, an operation is necessary. An incision is made in the abdomen after the induction of general anesthesia in the operating room. The abscess is drained, and a drain is left in the abscess cavity, which remains in place until the infection resolves.

Prognosis

The prognosis depends on the original cause of the abscess and the degree of infection present. Generally, drainage is successful in curing intra-abdominal abscesses.

Complications

Complications include recurrent abscesses, and occasionally, spread of the infection to the blood stream with widespread infection.

Call Your Health Care Provider If:

Call your physician for any severe abdominal pain, or fevers, nausea, vomiting, or changes in bowel habits.

Ency. home > Disease > I > Intra-abdominal abscess

[an error occurred while processing this directive]