Comparative study of percutaneous catheter drainage versus percutaneous needle aspiration for liver abscess

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of percutaneous needle aspiration (PERCUTANEOUS NEEDLE ASPIRATION) and percutaneous catheter drainage (PER CUTANEOUS DRAINAGE ) in the treatment of liver abscess. Methods: A prospective randomized study was conducted in patients presenting to Department of Surgery, GMERS Medical College, Vadodara between July 2019 and May 2022. 50 patients with liver abscess were randomized into two groups A and B. Complete history, presenting symptoms, medications were noted. The effectiveness of either treatment was measured in terms of duration of intravenous antibiotic, clinical improvement, reduction in the size of cavity, treatment success rate, duration of hospital stay including long-term outcomes such as sonographic resolution of cavity and recurrence rate at 6 months post-treatment. Results: Per Cutaneous Drainage group had statistically significant rate of duration of antibiotics need, days for clinical improvement and time for 50% reduction in abscess cavity and treatment success rate with comparable long-term outcomes. Conclusion: Per Cutaneous Drainage is more efficient than Percutaneous Needle Aspiration and can be used primarily in the treatment of both amoebic and pyogenic liver abscesses along with systemic antibiotics. However, Percutaneous Needle Aspiration can serve as a safe alternative when Per Cutaneous Drainage is not available.