[Experience with the management of pyogenic liver abscesses by percutaneous transhepatic puncture and drainage].

The authors treated forty-two patients with liver abscesses guided by computer tomography or ultrasound percutaneous transhepatic puncture or drainage from January 1 1983, to 1989 December 31. Closed aspiration or drainage was done in 42 patients altogether 56 times. Three patients died (3/42 = 7.2%), postdrainage complications happened in 9 cases (9/42 = 21.4). Operative intervention was necessary in 11 patient after the percutaneous procedure (11/42 = 26.2%). The authors wrote about the technics particularly of the percutaneous puncture or drainage. The authors are considering the method as an effective treatment for pyogenic liver abscesses if the personal and technical circumstances are given.