Direct Puncture Pigtail Catheter Placement for Secure Management of the Liver Abscess

• Published in: Journal of radiology nursing 2022-06, Vol.41 (2), p.102-105
• Main Authors: Jadhav, Vikas Leelavati Balasaheb, Deepak Koganti, Venkata Sai Mani, Patil, Yashraj P., Kumar, Mudit
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Drainage catheter; Liver abscess; Radiology; Radiology nursing
• ISSN: 1546-0843; 1555-9912
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jradnu.2022.01.007

Background: Liver abscess is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. The availability of advanced imaging in developing countries has led to diagnosis and treatment of patients at an early stage and management with local anesthesia. The objective was to establish direct puncture pigtail catheter placement as a secure management method for liver abscess drainage. Our prospective study was performed on 170 patients at our tertiary hospital for 2 years between April 2019 and March 2021. Patients diagnosed with liver abscess on ultrasonography (USG) were included in our study. Percutaneous drainage of the abscess is done, and serial USG scans were performed to determine the effectiveness of the procedure. Out of the 170 patients with a liver abscess who have undergone USG-guided pigtail catheterization for solitary liver abscess (size greater than 5 cm), the occurrence was predominantly in the right lobe (69.5%), with volume more than 150 cc. The study showed no significant complications with a success rate of 98%. USG-guided percutaneous drainage of liver abscess is minimally invasive with a satisfactory outcome to mark it as the first line of management in liver abscess. •We used direct puncture technique for pigtail catheter placement in 170 patients of liver abscesses.•It had a high success rate, low morbidity rate, and low complication rates.•It should be considered the first line of management in liquefied moderate- to large-sized liver abscesses.