Hepatic resection due to a fish bone

Abstract Introduction and importance Hepatic abscess due to foreign body is rare. Diagnosis is difficult and drainage may not be enough. Hepatic resection may be indicated. Case presentation A 76yo male patient resorted to the emergency room because of fever and abdominal pain. Abdominal CT diagnosed a hepatic abscess in the left lobe due to a fishbone. Percutaneous and surgical drainage failed. Laparotomic hepatic resection was necessary. The patient was discharged asymptomatic. Clinical discussion Liver abscess due to foreign body usually occur in the left lobe. Drainage and removal of the foreign body are mandatory and can be achieved either by percutaneous or surgical drainage. Resection is rarely indicated but sometimes is the only way. The authors found only ten cases of hepatic resection due to pyogenic abscess because of a foreign body. Conclusions Hepatic resection is rarely needed to treat a pyogenic abscess, but surgeons must be aware and able to proceed with it.