Percutaneous catheter drainage of liver abscess: an alternative to open drainage?

Percutaneous catheter drainage is still a new concept. Only 4 cases have been reported thus far and this paper reports 2 further cases. The technique of percutaneous catheterization of a liver abscess under CAT scan control is described, and the management of the catheter by a closed irrigation system is set out. Unless there is another compelling reason to do a laparotomy, we feel that this procedure is well worth a trial in view of the high mortality still associated with open drainage. Further experience may well prove percutaneous catheter drainage to be the procedure of choice for liver abscess.