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Original Research | General Surgery | Volume 15 Issue 6, June 2026 | Pages: 790 - 795 | India
USG-Guided Percutaneous Drainage versus Open Laparotomy for Ruptured Liver Abscess: A Prospective Comparative Study
Abstract: Background: Ruptured liver abscess is a life-threatening surgical emergency associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Although ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage is widely used for uncomplicated liver abscesses, evidence comparing it with open laparotomy in ruptured cases remains limited. This study compared the outcomes of these two treatment approaches. Methods: A prospective observational comparative study was conducted at a tertiary care centre in northern India between January 2024 and January 2025. A total of 100 adults with radiologically confirmed ruptured liver abscess were included. Patients underwent either ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage (n=64) or open laparotomy (n=36) according to clinical condition and surgeon discretion. Clinical recovery, hospital stay, complications, and mortality were evaluated. Results: Patients treated with percutaneous drainage showed significantly earlier clinical recovery and shorter hospital stay than those undergoing open laparotomy (2.95±1.39 vs 4.56±1.18 days and 6.63±3.10 vs 9.67±3.97 days, respectively; p<0.001). Mortality was significantly higher in the open laparotomy group (19.4% vs 0%; p<0.001). Sepsis, bleeding, and wound infection were more frequent after surgery. Shock, leukocytosis, hyperbilirubinaemia, and elevated transaminases were more common among surgical patients. Conclusions: Percutaneous drainage was associated with faster recovery, fewer complications, and lower mortality, whereas open laparotomy remained necessary in severe or refractory cases.
Keywords: Ruptured liver abscess, Percutaneous drainage, Open laparotomy, Pyogenic liver abscess, Surgical outcomes
How to Cite?: Jatin Agarwal, Santosh Kumar, Rahul Sarin, Renu Kushwaha, Kaleem Ahmad, "USG-Guided Percutaneous Drainage versus Open Laparotomy for Ruptured Liver Abscess: A Prospective Comparative Study", Volume 15 Issue 6, June 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 790-795, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26611195339, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26611195339