• 
  

  • 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.

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.

• 
  

  • 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).

• 
  

  • Bleeding.

  
  

  • Pain.

  
  

  • Recurrence of the abscess due to inadequate drainage.