Abscess
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An abscess is defined as an "accumulation of purulent material in tissues, organs, or circumscribed spaces, usually associated with signs of infection."[1]
Treatment
Incision and drainage
The abscess should be treated with incision and drainage followed by loose packing.[2]
Antibiotics
Antibiotics should be considered if there is significant overlying cellulitis. Systematic reviews of relevant studies concluded that:[3][4]
- "the current literature does not support the routine practice of prescribing antibiotics after incision and drainage of simple cutaneous abscesses, even in high-MRSA-prevalence areas"
- "our conclusions cannot be extrapolated to those cases in which there is a significant degree of overlying cellulitis"
References
- ↑ National Library of Medicine. Abscess. Retrieved on 2007-10-19.
- ↑ Macfie J, Harvey J (1977). "The treatment of acute superficial abscesses: a prospective clinical trial". The British journal of surgery 64 (4): 264-6. PMID 322789. [e]
- ↑ Hankin A, Everett WW (2007). "Are antibiotics necessary after incision and drainage of a cutaneous abscess?". Annals of emergency medicine 50 (1): 49-51. DOI:10.1016/j.annemergmed.2007.01.018. PMID 17577944. Research Blogging. PMID 17577944
- ↑ Korownyk C, Allan GM (2007). "Evidence-based approach to abscess management". Canadian family physician Médecin de famille canadien 53 (10): 1680–4. PMID 17934031. [e]