Abdominal aBscess Catheter Sclerotherapy (ABCS)

This is a two-arm prospective phase I/II clinical trial to assess the safety of a protocol of catheter-based drainage and povidone iodine or ethanol sclerotherapy of non-fistulous intraabdominal abscesses. The study aims to enroll approximately 60 total subjects with 30 per arm. The abscess should be intraperitoneal with a minimum diameter of 3cm in all three dimensions and devoid of suspicion for relation to a fistula. The described technique above will be employed to place a drainage catheter of minimum 14F in caliber and obtain an antimicrobial sample. Saline lavage will be performed by irrigating the abscess and aspirating the contents until the character of the instilled and aspirated fluid are similar. Following this step the cavity will be drained in full and a volume of approximately equal to the cavity of povidone iodine or ethanol will be instilled through the catheter with the catheter turned off to drainage. After approximately two minutes the drain will be opened to gravity and two minutes of additional time will be allotted to drain any excess povidone iodine or ethanol. The catheter will then be removed, and the site dressed with gauze and film dressing. The patient will then be followed clinically in the hospital for at least 48 hours and by phone check in for 7 days.

Inclusion criteria

• Male or female, aged over 18years
• Cross-sectional imaging (CT, US, MRI) showing an intraabdominal abscess measuring at last 3cm in each dimension without fistula to the bowel or skin.
• Provision of signed and dated informed consent form
• Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnancy or lactation
• Known allergic reactions to povidone iodine or ethanol
• Hemodynamic instability