To investigate the causes and treatments for the congestion after pig-tail catheter drainage of liver abscess.

Clinical data of 3 patients with complicated liver abscess admitted to Tangdu Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University from April 2016 to January 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The informed consents of all patients were obtained and the local ethical committee approval was received. Case 1, male, aged 84 years; Case 2, female, aged 57 years; Case 3, female, 50 years. The pig-tail catheter was clogged after being placed in 3 patients for drainage and the drainage catheters were therefore rotated clockwise or counter clockwise.

After multiple rotations, the head end of drainage catheter was loosened and unclogged and necrotic tissues was drained out. Mild or moderate fever was observed in cases 1 and 3 after rotating the pig-tail catheter, which was relieved spontaneously. 3 patients presented with mild bleeding after rotating the catheter and no significant change was noted in Hb. After the drainage catheter was unobstructed, the fever was relieved and all were cured and discharged. No recurrence was observed at postoperative 1 year.

For the intractable congestion of pig-tail catheter in liver abscess patients, rotating and loosening the catheter can bea good appoach.