ABCESS INCISION AND DRAINAGE

INDICATIONS, MATERIALS, PROCEDURE, COMPLICATIONS AND MANAGEMENT.

PRESENTED BY

JOHN SANGMOAH, CHARLES SANGMOAH, WILLIAM NGAMFON, KIM TROTIER AND ADA USHIE.

DEFINITION

• Abcesses are localized infections of tissue marked by a collection of pus and surrounded by inflamed tissue.

• They may be found in any area of the body, but most present on the extremities, buttocks, breast, perianal area or from the base of a hair follicle.

• Abcesses begin when normal skin barrier is breached and microorganisms invade the underlying tissue.

INDICATIONS

• A fluctulant abcess on the skin that is papable• It does not resolve with conservative measures, e.g.

warm compress and antibiotics• Causative organisms commonly include

streptococcous, staphylococcus, enteric bacteria and gram – negative organisms

CONTRAINDICATIONS

• Extremely large abscesses which require extensive incision, debridement, or irrigation; they are best done in OR

• Deep abscesses in very sensitive areas - supralevator, ischiorectal, perirectal - these require general anesthetic to obtain proper exposure

• Palmar space abscesses, or abscesses in the deep plantar spaces

• Abscesses in the nasolabial folds – they may drain to sphenoid sinus, causing a septic phlebitis.

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MATERIALS

• Universal precautions materials i.e. gloves, surgical mask, surgical gown

• 2% lidocaine WITH epinephrine for local anesthesia, 10 cc syringe and 25 gauge needle for infiltration

• Skin prep solution• #11 scalpel blade with handle• Draping• Guaze• Hemostat, scissors, packing• Tape• Culture swab

PROCEDURE

• Obtain informed consent

• Inform the patient of potential severe complications and their treatment

• Explain the steps of the procedure, including the not insignificant pain associated with anesthetic infiltration

• Explain necessity for follow-up, including packing change or removal

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PROCEDURE CONTINUED

•  Use universal precautions

• Cleanse site over abscess with skin prep• Drape to create a sterile field• Infiltrate local anesthetic, allow 2-3 minutes

for anesthetic to take effect• Incise widely over abscess with the #11

blade, cutting through the skin into the abscess cavity. Follow skin fold lines whenever able while making the incision

PROCEDURE CONTINUED

• Allow the pus to drain, using the gauzes to soak up drainage and blood. Use culture swab to take culture of abscess contents, swabbing inside the abscess cavity

• Use the hemostat to gently explore the abscess cavity to break up any loculations within the abscess

• Using the packing strip, pack the abscess cavity• Place gauze dressing over wound, and tape in

place

COMPLICATIONS AND MANAGEMENT

Complication Prevention Management

Insufficient anesthesia

Remember that the tissue around an abscess is acidotic, and local anesthetic loses effectiveness in acidotic tissues

Do a field block; use sufficient quantity of anesthetic; allow time for anesthetic effect

No drainage Localize site of incision by palpation

Extend incision deeper or wider as needed

Drainage is sebaceous material

Abscess was an inflamed sebaceous cyst

Express all material, break up sac with hemostat, pack open as with an abscess

FOLLOW UP

• Arrange at least one follow up with the patient to check for proper healing