Superficial Abscess: Treatment

Indications

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  • • Incision and drainage are indicated when a large, localized, and tender collection of pus occurs in the subcutaneous tissues beneath the skin surface.

    • When the diagnosis is unclear, needle aspiration may be diagnostic. This is particularly helpful for deeper infections.

Contraindications

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Relative

  • • Abscesses located in the deep tissues, the hand, or the face.

    • Lengthy or painful procedures in young children. Since these may require conscious sedation, they should be performed only if resources for conscious sedation are available.

    • Abscesses requiring operative drainage and debridement. These procedures should be performed in the operating area.

    • Patients with underlying conditions that may complicate the healing process or require close outpatient follow-up (eg, immunocompromised state or diabetes). Referral to specialty clinics may be appropriate for such patients.

Equipment

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  • • Mask.

    • Sterile gloves.

    • Povidone-iodine solution.

    • Sterile gauze.

    • Sterile dressing and drapes.

    • Eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA/ELAMAX) or 1% lidocaine with epinephrine, or both.

    • 25- or 27-gauge needle for lidocaine administration.

    • #11 scalpel.

    • Curved hemostats.

    • Sterile packing material (iodoform gauze).

Risks

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  • • Bleeding.

    • Pain.

    • Recurrence of the abscess due to inadequate drainage.

Jan 4, 2019 | Posted by in PEDIATRICS | Comments Off on Superficial Abscess: Treatment

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