Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess:comparison between the different treatment protocols

Objective The aim of the study is to compare the efficacy of the different protocols for treatment of Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscesses (KLA) Methods 106 KLA patients who were treated in Zhongshan Hospital between March 2001 and January 2009 were studied retrospectively.The patients were divided into four groups based on the different therapeutic measures: mono-puncture, puncture with antibiotic flushing, puncture with retained catheter, and puncture with antibiotic flushing and retained catheter.All patients were treated with antibiotics intravenously.Results Compared to the mono-puncture, additional antibiotic flushing did not further improve clinical outcomes (P>0.05) .However, the diameter of the abscess decreased significantly with the retained catheter therapy compared to the mono-puncture or additional antibiotic flushing therapy (34.38±3.25 mm vs 22.67±2.37 mm vs 24.45±3.37 mm, P<0.05) .Combined therapy with metronidazole, tert-cephalosporin and fluoroquinolones did not show a significant difference (P>0.05) .Conclusion B-ultrasound guided puncture with retained catheter and intravenous antibiotic treatment is reasonably effective for KLA.