Objective To formulate an evidence-based treatment plan for a patient with suspected pyogenic liver abscess. Methods Based on the clinical questions raised by a patient with suspected pyogenic liver abscess, we searched The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2007), MEDLINE (1996 to January 2008), ACP Journal Club (1991 to January 2008), and Chinese Journal Full-text Database (1994 to January 2008) for systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and case-control studies. The quality of the included studies was assessed. Results We did not find any systematic reviews or large-scale RCTs involving a comparison between laparoscopic drainage and surgical drainage in the treatment of pyogenic liver abscess. Four clinical retrospective studies closely related to our questions were found and assessed. These studies concluded that laparoscopic drainage for liver abscesses was a safe alternative for patients requiring surgical drainage. Based on the current evidence, as well as our clinical expertise and the patient’s values, laparoscopic drainage was not used for this patient and surgical drainage was applied. The patient was recovered and discharged. Conclusion Current evidence showed that laparoscopic drainage might be effective and safe for liver abscesses but high-quality large-scale randomized controlled trials are still required.
ObjectiveTo explore the safety and feasibility of contrast enhanced intraoperative ultrasonographyguided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation with artificial hydrothorax to hepatocellular carcinoma in the hepatic dome. MethodsThe clinical data of nine patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in the hepatic dome underwent ultrasonographyguided percutaneous radiofrequnecy ablation with artificial hydrothorax from January 2008 to June 2009 at Department of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery of West China Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The perioperative results and recurrence of tumor were also analyzed. ResultsAll of nine patients with twelve tumors received successfully radiofrequency ablation with artificial hydrothorax of (2 444±464) ml (2 000-3 000 ml). The ablation time was 12-24 min (median 12 min), with an average of (15±5) min for each tumor. No hemothorax, pneumothorax, and death occurred during operation. One patient had ascites of 2 000 ml after ablation due to hypoalbuminenia, and ascites disappeared by infusion of abumin on 4 d after operation. The total volume of pleural drainage was 250-1 420 ml, with an average of (717±372) ml for each patient, and the drainage tube was withdrawn on 3-5 d after operation. The followup time was 7-23 months (mean 15 months). Tumor recurrence was found in three patients on 5, 6, and 7 months after operation, respectively. Of them, two patients were in stable disease stage after interventional and conservative therapy, respectively, and one case recurred at six months after operation and died of hypertensive heart disease and hepatic function deterioration at sixteen months after operation. The rest patients survived and no recurrence and metastasis was observed during the follow-up period.ConclusionThe technique of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation with artificial hydrothorax increases the feasibility of the minimal invasive treatment for hepatoma, which can be applied to hepatocellular carcinoma in the hepatic dome with high safety and clinical application value.