Intra-abdominal abscesses

Abstract

The contents of this chapter could have been summarized in a sentence: an abscess is a pus-containing, confined structure, which requires drainage by which ever means available.We believe, however, that you want us to elaborate. Abscesses may develop anywhere within the abdomen,resulting from myriad conditions. Specific types such as diverticular or peri-appendicular abscesses (> Chaps. 26 and 28) are covered elsewhere in this book; this chapter will introduce you to general concepts-with emphasis on what is probably the commonest abscess in your practice-the postoperative abscess. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2005.