Subphrenic abscess.

A series of 55 patients with subphrenic abscess is presented. In 50 patients, the abscess occurred postoperatively, most frequently after biliary tract and gastric operations. The surgical approach to drainage was selected on the basis of clinical signs and symptoms and previous operation. Among 34 patients in whom the abscesses were drained extraserously initially, nine subsequently underwent a transperitoneal approach because of inadequate drainage. Of all patients, 17 (30.9 per cent) had multiple space abscesses. These figures support the use of midline exploration. Twenty-six patients (47.3 per cent) had complications develop after surgical drainage; ten (18.2 per cent) of them died. The value of early diagnosis is stressed.