Abscess drainage
Abscess drainage is a medical procedure aimed at treating localized infections where pus accumulates due to bacterial invasion in tissue. When bacteria, most commonly Staphylococci, infect an area, the body responds by attempting to isolate the infection, leading to the formation of an abscess. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, and fever, and while superficial abscesses are easily identifiable, deeper ones may require imaging techniques like CT or MRI for confirmation. Antibiotics are typically prescribed; however, they may not effectively reach the encapsulated pus. In such cases, drainage becomes necessary, involving an incision to allow the pus to escape, and sometimes the insertion of a tube for ongoing drainage. Abscesses can occur in various locations, including under the skin, in the breast, or around teeth, with rare instances in organs like the liver or brain. Prompt treatment is vital, especially for abscesses in critical areas, as delayed intervention can lead to irreversible damage. After drainage, monitoring for signs of recurrent infection is important, as residual bacteria may cause the abscess to return.
Abscess drainage
Anatomy or system affected: Brain, breasts, gallbladder, glands, gums, kidneys, liver, lungs, nervous system, pancreas, respiratory system, skin, spleen, stomach, urinary system
Definition: The removal of a collection of pus in tissue through an opening in the skin
Indications and Procedures
When bacteria infect tissue, the body’s defense systems attempt to isolate them and destroy the infective agents. An abscess develops when the bacteria become walled off from surrounding noninfected tissues, and white blood cells enter the area to rid the body of the pathogens. The ensuing battle between the white blood cells and bacteria causes the death of these cells and surrounding tissue. These dead cells form pus.
Staphylococci bacteria are the most common pathogens that cause abscesses to form, resulting in pain, swelling, and fever. If the abscess is near the skin, it is easily detected. The presence of abscesses in deeper tissues, however, may need to be confirmed using computed tomography (CT) scanning or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
The physician will usually prescribe antibiotics to help destroy the bacteria. Unfortunately, the antibiotics may not have access to the site of infection because the abscess is usually encapsulated by tissue. If this is the case, the physician must drain the abscess cavity. He or she will make an incision into the cavity to allow the pus to drain. Occasionally, a tube will be inserted to maintain the opening for continued drainage of the cavity. The tube can be removed once the infection is gone.
The patient will be asked to watch for signs of recurrent infection after the abscess is removed, because some bacteria may remain. The abscess can reappear if these bacteria are not destroyed by the body’s immune system or by antibiotics.
Uses and Complications
Abscesses can develop in any organ. Common sites, however, are under the skin, in the breasts, under the arms, and around the teeth and gums. In rare cases, abscesses are found in the liver or brain. Fungi and protozoans are important pathogens in liver abscesses.
Most abscesses dissipate after they are drained and/or the patient is treated with antibiotics. Occasionally, antibiotic treatment alone will cause the abscess to subside. The rapid detection and treatment of abscesses in the liver and brain are critical because the damage to these vital organs is irreparable.
Bibliography
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McDermott, Shaunagh, Diane A. Levis, and Ronald S. Arellano. "Approaches to the Difficult Drainage and Biopsy." Seminars in Interventional Radiology 29, no. 4 (December, 2012): 256–263.
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Sampson, Stacy. “Abscess Drainage: Procedures, Recovery, Recurrence.” Healthline, 21 May 2019, www.healthline.com/health/abscess-drainage#recovery. Accessed 20 July 2023.