An abscess is an inflamed and infected pocket of pus in the skin. It is often called a boil. Incision (cut) and drainage is a procedure to drain pus from an abscess.
Drainage of an abscess is the preferred treatment to clear an abscess. It is often used if abscesses are large, growing, infected, painful, or not resolving on their own.
Do not pop or lance an abscess yourself. This can spread infection and make it worse.
A local anesthesia will be applied to your skin. This will make the area numb.
Most of the time, this procedure can be done in your doctor’s office. Larger, deep abscesses, or abscesses in very sensitive areas (eg, near the anus), may require treatment in the hospital.
The area will be wiped with a special cleansing fluid. Anesthesia will be applied. A small incision will be made. A syringe or catheter may be used to drain the pus from the abscess or the pus may be squeezed out. Gauze may be used to soak up the fluid. A clean water solution will be used to flush the area.
A tool may be used to explore inside the cut. It can also further break down the abscess. A sample of the bacteria may be taken with a cotton swab for testing. Sometimes, the doctor will decide to pack the wound with clean gauze to help make sure the abscess does not form again. If this happens, you will come back in a day or two to remove or replace the packing. Gauze and dressing tape will be used to cover the wound.
30-45 minutes
No, the procedure should not hurt. You may feel a slight pinch and burning when the local anesthetic is injected.
When you return home after the procedure, take the following steps to help ensure a smooth recovery:
The skin should heal completely in about 14 days.
RESOURCES:
American Academy
of Dermatology
http://www.aad.org/
American
Academy
of Family Physicians
http://www.aafp.org/
American College
of Surgeons
http://www.facs.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Association of Wound Care
http://www.cawc.net/
The Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons
http://www.plasticsurgery.ca/
Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health
http://www.ctfphc.org/
References:
Calvagna M. Boils. EBSCO Health Library website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=15&topicID=81. Updated November 17, 2008. Accessed May 21, 2009.
Fitch M, Manthey D, McGinnis H, et al. Abscess incision and drainage. The New England Journal of Medicine (Videos in Clinical Medicine). 2007. 357;19. PDF Available at: https://secure.muhealth.org/~ed/students/articles/NEJM_357_pe0020.pdf. Accessed May 21, 2009.
NHS Clinical Knowledge Summaries. Abscess treatment. NHS Clinical Knowledge Summaries website. Available at: http://www.cks.nhs.uk/patient_information_leaflet/abscess/treatment. Accessed May 21, 2009.
Prevention of surgical site infections: Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections in Massachusetts. AHRQ National Guideline Clearinghouse website. Available at: http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=12921&nbr=6635&ss=6&xl=999. Accessed May 21, 2009.
University at Buffalo (The State University of New York). Abscess incision and drainage. University at Buffalo (The State University of New York) website. Available at: http://apps.med.buffalo.edu/procedures/abscess.asp?p=1. Accessed May 21, 2009.
Last reviewed October 2009 by Ross Zeltser, MD, FAAD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.