Intra-abdominal abscess

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Intra-abdominal abscess, CT scan

Meckels diverticulum

Abscess - intra-abdominal

Treatment of an intra-abdominal abscess requires antibiotics (given by an IV) and drainage. Drainage involves placing a needle through the skin in the abscess, usually under x-ray guidance. The drain is then left in place for days or weeks until the abscess goes away.

Occasionally, abscesses cannot be safely drained this way. In such cases, surgery must be done while the patient is under general anesthesia (unconscious and pain-free). A cut is made in the belly area (abdomen), and the abscess is drained and cleaned. A drain is left in the abscess cavity, and remains in place until the infection goes away.

It is always important to identify and treated the cause of the abscess.

The outlook depends on the original cause of the abscess and how bad the infection is. Generally, drainage is successful in treating intra-abdominal abscesses that have not spread.

Complications include:

• Abscess returns (recurs)
• Rupture of an abscess
• Spread of the infection to the bloodstream
• Widespread infection

Call your doctor if you have severe abdominal pain, fevers, nausea, vomiting, or changes in bowel habits.

Review Date: 07/14/2006
Reviewed By: J.A. Lee, M.D., Division of Surgery, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.