Transvaginal sonography-guided drainage of pelvic abscess: Report of a case

A deep-seated pelvic abscess (5 x 7 cm), found during the immediate postoperative period after pelvic anterior exenteration for invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder neck, was succesfully managed by nonoperative, ultrasound-guided, transvaginal catheter drainage. The procedure is simple and safe and may be a nonsurgical way to manage postoperative abscesses difficult to drain via the transabdominal route. Patient acceptance was good despite the fact that an 8 Fr drainage catheter (Cliny, Tokyo, Japan) was left within the vagina vault for five days. Surgical operation was obviated, and no recurrence of the abscess was noted after follow-up for four months.