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Comparative Studies | Surgery | India | Volume 13 Issue 4, April 2024
Prospective Randomized Study of Needle Aspiration vs Incision and Drainage in Superficial Abscess
Singh Rishi Raj | Shakeel Summaiya | Moudgil Ashish | Mishra Amit | Kale Ravi
Abstract: Aim/Background: An abscess is a localized collection of purulent fluid that can significantly affect a patient's care and clinical outcome. The traditional treatment for abscesses is surgical incision and drainage. However, minimally invasive surgery such as needle aspiration is becoming more accepted by patients. Aim of the study is to compare the outcomes of needle aspiration and incision and drainage in managing superficial abscesses up to 5 cm in diameter. Material & Method: The present prospective randomized study included a total of 114 adult patients aged 18 years and older, all of whom had been clinically diagnosed with superficial abscesses. These patients were randomly divided into two groups: Group A underwent needle aspiration as a treatment method, while Group B underwent incision and drainage. A comprehensive patient history was meticulously recorded, and essential laboratory investigations were conducted. Regular follow - up assessments were carried out to assess improvements in terms of abscess size reduction, pain relief, erythema reduction, fluctuation, and the duration of hospital stay. Results: The most common presentation in both groups was painful swelling. The mean abscess diameter in the aspiration group was 3.4 cm, while it was 4.5 cm in the incision - drainage group. Patients who underwent percutaneous needle aspiration had significantly less pain, with a mean VAS score of 5.5, compared to 8.5 in the incision and drainage group immediately after the procedure. Patients who underwent aspiration found it more convenient and did not require dressing. Erythema was resolved with needle aspiration in subsequent follow - up visits, while it persisted in 8.7% of patients until Day 14 of incision and drainage. It was observed that in the I&D group, the fluctuation of an abscess diminished immediately after the procedure, while in the Needle Aspiration group, 17.5% of patients had fluctuation on Day 3. Additionally, 7.1% of patients had fluctuation on Day 7, and 3.5% of patients had to convert to an I&D procedure (a maximum of 3 attempts of needle aspiration was done). The mean healing time in the Needle Aspiration Group was 8.4 days, while in the I&D group it was 17.9 days. Furthermore, the mean length of hospital stay in the Needle aspiration group was 1.6 days, while in the I&D group, it was 5.6 days. Conclusion: Needle aspiration is a simple, painless, daycare procedure and an effective alternative treatment method to incision and drainage in properly selected patients.
Keywords: Abscess, Needle Aspiration, Incision and Drainage, Hospital Stay
Edition: Volume 13 Issue 4, April 2024,
Pages: 821 - 823