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A liver abscess is an abnormal collection of pus (a thick yellow fluid consisting of white blood cells, germs, and dead tissue) in your liver that most often occurs as an inflammatory response to an infection in your body. Symptoms of a liver abscess include high-grade fever (>103°F), upper right abdominal pain, sudden and unexplained weight loss, dark-colored urine, and white or clay-colored stool with/without diarrhea. The abscess can be easily diagnosed through an abdominal ultrasound or a CT (Computed Tomography) scan to know the exact size and extent of the abscess. Open drainage is the most effective method to treat complex and severely infected liver abscesses.
Treatment for a liver abscess usually depends on the size and severity of the abscess. These include either non-surgical or surgical methods.
These are usually used as a first-line treatment for liver abscess less than 3 cm in diameter.
Surgical methods for liver abscess treatment are often recommended when non-surgical methods fail.
Open drainage of liver abscess is a conventional surgical approach that involves cutting through the skin overlying the abscess. This procedure uses a surgical knife known as a scalpel to make a single large incision to cut across the layers of the skin and underlying tissues, thereby exposing the liver abscess.
Blunt surgical instruments are used to completely scrape out the abscess lining while placing a thin catheter tube for additional drainage of the residual pus. The surgical wound is stitched up using sutures, and the catheter drain is left in place and secured with surgical tapes. This drain is usually removed 1 to 2 weeks after completely reduced infection.
Open drainage is a surgical method of draining a liver abscess that is usually recommended for the following reasons:
You must consult your healthcare provider if you notice symptoms associated with a liver abscess. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and record your medical history to gain information about:
Your doctor will then conduct a physical examination to check for abdominal pain, tenderness, or skin discoloration. Your surgeon may advise the following diagnostic tests to confirm the presence of a liver abscess and evaluate the size, severity, and exact location of the abscess. It also helps to determine the type of treatment that best suits you according to your condition.
Preparation before open drainage is important to help reduce stress and anxiety for a smoother procedure and optimal healing.
Open drainage for a liver abscess is a surgical procedure that is performed as an inpatient procedure requiring hospitalization.
You will be in the recovery room after the surgical drainage of your abscess, where your vitals will be monitored, and once stabilized, you will be shifted to your room for further recovery.
Though a conventional method, open drainage of liver abscesses is still widely used due to the following benefits.
Like any other surgical procedure, an open liver abscess drainage can pose the following risks:
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