Endosonography control of percutaneous paracoccygeal drainage of deep pelvic abscesses after rectum resection]

Pelvic abscesses are severe complications after rectal surgery. In recent years, surgical drainage has been edged out by percutaneous drainage techniques. We report our experience with the drainage of postoperative pelvic abscesses via the paracoccygeal route controlled by endosonography. In eight patients the diagnosis of a retrorectal pelvic abscess was established by endosonography and confirmed by endosonographically controlled exploratory puncture. Drainage of the abscesses was performed via the paracoccygeal access route by trocar or Seldinger technique under permanent visual control by endoluminal sonography. Irrigation of the abscess cavity was than performed daily. In all cases drainage was successful without complications. Duration of drainage was 9-14 days with a mean of 10.8 days. In one patient there was a recurrence of the abscess because of early removal of the drainage catheter. Because of its overall availability and its good results, paracoccygeal percutaneous endosonographically controlled drainage seems to be a suitable uncomplicated method for drainage of postoperative pelvic abscesses.