Two Cases of Characteristic Abscess Formation under the Abdominal Wall where Seprafilm Was Placed after Gastrointestinal Resection

Abstract

Seprafilm is used to prevent adhesions after surgery. Here we report two cases of characteristic abscess formation under the abdominal wall where Seprafilm was placed after gastrointestinal resection. The first patient, a 60-year-old man, was admitted for colostomy closure. Abdominal computed tomography was performed on postoperative day 7 and revealed an abdominal abscess appeared under the abdominal wall. The abscess was drained and cured. The second patient, a 75-year-old man, was admitted for anemia. He underwent distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer and partial colon resection for transverse mesocolon invasion. Abdominal computed tomography was performed on postoperative day 7 and revealed an abdominal abscess appearing under the abdominal wall. He was administered an antibiotic and was discharged on postoperative day 21. However, he was re-hospitalized on postoperative day 31 because the pus developed from the wound. The abscess was drained and cured. In both cases, we observed intra-abdominal abscess formation postoperatively after using Seprafilm. When Seprafilm is used for gastrointestinal resection, we should be careful to evaluate abscess formation under the abdominal wall.