About Intestinal Abscess
Key Highlights
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Minimally invasive image-guided drainage is often possible, avoiding major surgery.Effectively relieves severe pain, fever, and other symptoms caused by the infection.Prevents the spread of infection to the bloodstream (sepsis), a potentially fatal complication.Can be a definitive treatment or a bridge to more elective surgery in a stabilized patient.Performed by specialized gastroenterologists and interventional radiologists for precise care.
Who is this surgery for?
- Confirmed abscess on imaging (CT scan or ultrasound) associated with symptoms like fever, abdominal pain, and tenderness.
- Complication of diverticulitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or appendicitis.
- Post-surgical infection following abdominal or intestinal surgery.
- Failure of intravenous antibiotics alone to resolve the infection.
- Signs of impending sepsis or systemic inflammatory response.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive imaging, typically a contrast-enhanced CT scan, to precisely locate the abscess.
- Blood tests to assess infection levels (white blood cell count, CRP) and overall health.
- Administration of broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics prior to the procedure.
- Fasting for several hours before the procedure if sedation or anesthesia is planned.
- Discussion of the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternative options with the gastroenterologist.
Risks & possible complications
- Bleeding or hematoma at the catheter insertion site.
- Inadvertent injury to nearby organs (e.g., bowel, blood vessels).
- Incomplete drainage or recurrence of the abscess.
- Development of a persistent fistula (abnormal connection) between the intestine and skin or another organ.
- Infection spread or sepsis, though the procedure aims to prevent this.
- Reactions to sedation, anesthesia, or contrast dye used during imaging.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Hospital stay is required for monitoring, continued IV antibiotics, and catheter management.
- The drainage catheter remains in place for several days to ensure complete evacuation, requiring careful site care.
- Pain at the catheter site is common and managed with medication.
- Diet is gradually advanced from liquids to solids as bowel function returns.
- Follow-up imaging is performed to confirm abscess resolution before catheter removal.
- Full recovery involves treating the underlying condition (e.g., with medication for Crohn's) to prevent recurrence.
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Typical hospital stay: 3-7 days
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Expected recovery time: 2-4 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering intestinal abscess in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for intestinal abscess in India include Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, KMC Hospital Mangalore, Manipal Hospital Baner, Manipal Hospital Dwarka, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform intestinal abscess. MediFyr helps you compare gastroenterologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for intestinal abscess compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Intestinal Abscess in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated gastroenterology teams and experience managing patients undergoing intestinal abscess.
Rohan Williams, a 28-year-old software engineer,...
Rohan Williams, a 28-year-old software engineer, had always been active and health-conscious. For three weeks, he battled persistent, cramping lower abdominal pain, fever, and debilitating fatigue that kept him from work. A CT scan at the emergency room revealed a 4cm abscess in his ileum, likely a complication from undiagnosed Crohn's disease. His gastroenterologist, Dr. Lee, recommended an ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage to avoid emergency surgery. Terrified of needles and hospitals, Rohan felt his independence crumbling. The procedure itself, under sedation, was painless. The relief was almost immediate as the infection source was removed. Over the next week, with antibiotics and the drain in place, his fever broke and his energy returned. The emotional shift was profound, from fear and frustration to immense relief and a sense of control. The diagnosis of Crohn's was daunting, but addressing the abscess gave him a clear starting point for managing his health.
Gastroenterologists for Intestinal Abscess
Explore experienced gastroenterologists who regularly perform intestinal abscess and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 25 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 34 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 20 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 39 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 11 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 11 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 8 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 14 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 18 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 49 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 35 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 32 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 30 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 30 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 21 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 21 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 10 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 9 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai