A comparative study to evaluate needle aspiration and surgical drainage in treatment of liver abscess

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical presentation, and to investigate the effectiveness of surgical drainage in comparison to needle aspiration in the treatment of liver abscesses. Methods: This is a comparative study of 121 patients, presented in outpatient and emergency department at the hospital, randomized double blind trial was done and divide into two groups about which surgeon did not knew about the division it was marked by evaluator. The effectiveness of either treatment was measured in terms of duration of hospital stay, days to achieve clinical improvement, reduction in abscess cavity size and total/near total resolution of abscess cavity. Results: The success rate was significantly better in needle aspiration group. The patients in needle aspiration group showed earlier clinical improvement and decrease in abscess cavity volume as compared to those who underwent surgical drainage. Conclusion: Ultrasound guided needle aspiration is a better modality as compared to Surgical drainage especially in larger abscesses which are partially liquefied or with thick pus.