Claire Dawson
An abscess is a buildup of pus that can affect any part of the body, including the skin, mouth, or organs. It is the body's normal reaction to an infection caused by bacteria, fungi, parasites, or viruses. Abscesses are typically treated by draining the pus, which can be done in a variety of ways depending on the location and severity of the abscess. In this procedure, doctors remove the infected fluid from the body using minimally invasive techniques to prevent the infection from spreading.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Abscess type | Skin, soft-tissue, internal, gum, tooth, breast, perirectal, sebaceous cyst, facial |
| Anaesthetic used | Local, general, spinal, sedation |
| Procedure | Surgical incision, needle aspiration, ultrasound-guided, CT-guided |
| Treatment | Antibiotics, antiseptic dressing, saline solution, gauze dressing, pain medication |
| Recovery | Less than 1 hour, outpatient, dressing changed within a week, follow-up appointments |
| Risks | Infection, bleeding, damage to nearby organs, fistula formation, sepsis, necrotizing fasciitis |
What You'll Learn
Incision and drainage
The procedure typically involves the following steps:
- Anaesthesia: Local anaesthesia is applied to numb the area around the abscess. For deeper or larger abscesses, sedation or general anaesthesia may be required.
- Incision: A small incision is made in the skin over the abscess. The size of the incision varies depending on the size and depth of the abscess.
- Drainage: The pus is allowed to drain out of the abscess. This can be done by simply creating an opening for the pus to drain out, or by using a needle or a thin plastic tube called a drainage catheter. The catheter is connected to a small bag that collects the pus and is left in place for several days to ensure complete drainage.
- Wound Care: After the pus has drained, the pocket is cleaned with a sterile saline solution. The abscess is left open but covered with a wound dressing to absorb any remaining pus. For deeper abscesses, a gauze "wick" may be placed inside to keep the wound open and aid in healing.
- Follow-up Care: The dressing and any internal packing may need to be changed or removed within a few days. Antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent subsequent infections. Pain medication may also be recommended for a few days.
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Antibiotics and warm soaks
Warm soaks are recommended for patients to do at home after the procedure. Patients are advised to hold the skin incision open and direct the shower or faucet spray into the abscess cavity. This helps to keep the wound clean and promote healing. Warm soaks can also be used before the procedure to help drain the abscess. Applying warm compresses to the area for about 30 minutes, four times a day may help drain the pus and promote healing.
It is important to note that antibiotics alone are usually not enough to cure an abscess. In most cases, the abscess must be opened and drained for it to improve. However, for small and/or superficial abscesses, antibiotics and heat treatment may be used initially, and the need for drainage can be re-evaluated after 24 to 48 hours. If the abscess does not respond to this treatment, drainage may be necessary.
After the procedure, patients are typically sent home with oral antibiotics and wound care instructions. It is important to follow the doctor's instructions carefully and keep all follow-up appointments. Patients may be prescribed pain medication for home use if needed.
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Ultrasound-guided needle aspiration
During the procedure, ultrasound is used to guide the insertion of a needle into the abscess to drain the pus. This technique can be applied to various types of abscesses, such as breast abscesses and orbital abscesses.
The procedure is often carried out under local anaesthesia, and the wound is dressed to absorb any remaining pus. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to help fight off the initial infection and prevent subsequent ones.
In the case of orbital abscesses, ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration and catheter drainage have been successfully used to treat the condition and prevent severe complications such as visual loss and death.
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Surgical drainage
Once the area is numbed, the surgeon makes a small incision through the skin over the abscess, allowing the pus to drain out. If the abscess is internal, imaging tests such as an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI scan may be used to locate it and define its borders. The abscess is then drained with an aspiration needle or a thin tube called a catheter. The catheter may be connected to a small bag outside the body, left for a few days, to ensure the abscess drains completely.
If the abscess is large or deep, a gauze "wick" may be placed inside to keep it open and help absorb pus or blood during the healing process. The wound is then covered with a gauze dressing, which may need to be in place for a few days to a week, depending on the size and depth of the abscess. The patient may experience some drainage of pus for a day or two after the procedure. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to help fight off the initial infection and prevent subsequent infections.
The recovery time from abscess drainage depends on the location and severity of the infection. Most patients are able to resume normal activities within a few days following the procedure. However, there are risks associated with any surgical procedure, including the possibility of infection, bleeding, or damage to nearby organs.
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Recovery and recurrence
The recovery time from abscess drainage depends on the location of the infection and its severity. The gauze dressing on the skin over the wound incision may need to be in place for a couple of days or a week for an abscess that was especially large or deep. If the dressing becomes soaked with drainage, it will need to be changed. If gauze wick packing was placed inside the abscess cavity, it will need to be removed or repacked within a few days. A little pus drainage is expected for a day or two after the procedure. Antibiotics may be prescribed to help the body fight off the initial infection and prevent subsequent infections. Pain medication may also be recommended for a few days. Within a week, the dressing and any inside packing will be removed to examine the wound during a follow-up appointment.
Abscess drainage is generally a safe, minimally invasive procedure with a faster recovery time compared to surgical drainage. However, as with any medical procedure, there is a possibility of complications. Risks may include infection, bleeding, or damage to nearby organs.
After the procedure, it is important to assess your wound each day. An abscess can recur after treatment if you develop a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection or other bacterial infection. These infections are contagious and can be acquired in a hospital setting or through direct contact with an infected person. An MRSA abscess is treated like any other abscess—by draining it and prescribing an appropriate antibiotic.
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Frequently asked questions
An abscess is a buildup of pus that can affect any part of your body. Abscesses are typically caused by bacterial infections, but they can also be caused by fungi, parasites, or viruses. They can occur on the skin, in the mouth, or around organs.
The procedure for draining an abscess depends on its location and severity. Typically, a local anesthetic is applied to numb the area, and a small incision is made. The pus is then drained, and the cavity is cleaned with a sterile saline solution. The wound is left open but covered with a dressing to absorb any remaining pus. Deeper or larger abscesses may require a gauze "wick" to be placed inside to keep the abscess open and aid healing.
The recovery time from abscess drainage depends on the location and severity of the infection. The dressing on the skin may need to be in place for a few days to a week, and gauze packing inside the abscess cavity may need to be removed or replaced within a few days. Pain-relieving medications may be recommended for a few days, and a follow-up appointment will be scheduled for the doctor to examine the wound.
Abscess drainage is generally a safe, minimally invasive procedure with a low risk of complications. However, as with any medical procedure, there are potential risks, including infection, bleeding, and damage to nearby organs. Sedation and local anesthesia are typically used to keep the patient comfortable during the procedure.
