[Localization, prophylaxis and therapy of subphrenic abscess].

Main symptoms and causes of subphrenic abscess are described. Localization is possible using Gallium 67 scanning. Prophylaxis and surgical approach are illustrated. In 75 patients of the surgical clinic of the University of Hamburg, the subphrenic abscess was drained by an anterolateral extrapleural incision through the diaphragm. Positive identification and localization are necessary to prevent contamination of the peritoneal cavity. Scintigraphic Gallium 67 scanning is also useful to identify synchronous subphrenic (bilateral) abscesses.