Aspiration/Drainage of Breast Abscess

Abstract

This chapter describes the surgical procedure for aspiration/drainage of breast abscess as performed by the following approaches: In most cases, a percutaneous ultrasound-guided drainage, when used in conjunction with antimicrobial therapy, will be sufficient. Where aspiration and medical treatment have failed and a palpably fluctuant abscess is present, a formal incision and drainage may be performed. The text includes an introduction that outlines the indications, risks, alternatives, essential steps, necessary equipment, and variations in technique for the procedure in question. This is followed by a template operative dictation, which provides the reader with an operative report, such as is found in a patient chart or electronic medical record. A description is provided of the following critical concepts for this procedure: Localization of the abscess cavity using ultrasound; percutaneous aspiration of the abscess using a standard intravenous cannula and the most cosmetically acceptable approach to a formal incision and drainage of a breast abscess.