Abdominal abscess with low-output fistula: successful percutaneous drainage.

Abdominal abscesses in 72 patients were drained percutaneously. Sinograms were obtained at the time of drainage and repeated three to six days later. In 32 patients, a low-output fistulous communication to the alimentary canal, biliary tract, or pancreatic duct was demonstrated. Percutaneously placed drainage catheters provided successful treatment in 27 of these 32 patients. We conclude that low-output fistulous communications to abdominal cavities occur frequently, but can be managed successfully with percutaneous techniques in the majority of patients.