Abstract

Background: This study was intended to assess the effectiveness of percutaneous needle
aspiration (PNA) and pigtail catheter drainage (PCD) in the treatment of liver abscess.
Methodology: A prospective randomized comparative study conducted at the Department of
Surgery. The inclusion criteria are patients with liver abscess who were older than 16 years
with a cavity size of more than 5 cm or more than 60mL in volume. The study was conducted
after getting the approval from the institutional ethical committee and 510 patients with liver
abscess were included for the study. The patients with the signs & symptoms of liver abscess
were admitted and detailed history and physical examinations were carried out. Certain
laboratory investigations include – complete blood counts, renal function test, liver function
test, prothrombin time, viral markers, blood culture and amoebic serology were taken. All the
patients were randomly assigned into two groups using computerised randomisation method.
Results: The PCD 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: PCD is more efficient than PNA and can be used primarily in the treatment of
both amoebic and pyogenic liver abscesses along with systemic antibiotics. PNA can be
considered as an effective alternative when PCD cannot be performed due to unavoidable
situations.