Abscess Management: An Evidence-Based Review for Emergency Medicine Clinicians.

BACKGROUND: Abscesses are commonly evaluated and managed in the emergency department. Recent research has evaluated the use of ultrasonography, packing, incision and drainage (I&D), and antibiotics. There are evidence-based nuances to the management of specific types of abscesses, such as Bartholin, breast, dental, hidradenitis suppurativa, peritonsillar, and pilonidal abscesses. OBJECTIVE: This review provides emergency medicine clinicians with a summary of the current literature regarding abscess management in the emergency department. DISCUSSION: Ultrasound is valuable in diagnosing abscesses that are not clinically evident and in guiding I&D procedures. Although I&D is traditionally followed by packing, this practice may be unnecessary for small abscesses. Antibiotics, needle aspiration, and loop drainage are suitable alternatives to I&D of abscesses with certain characteristics. Oral antibiotics can improve outcomes after I&D, although this improvement must be weighed against potential risks. Many strategies are useful in managing Bartholin abscesses, with the Word catheter proving consistently effective. Needle aspiration is the recommended first-line therapy for small breast abscesses. Dental abscesses are often diagnosed with clinical examination alone, but ultrasound may be a useful adjunct. Acute abscess formation caused by hidradenitis suppurativa should be managed surgically by excision when possible, because I&D has a high rate of abscess recurrence. Peritonsillar abscesses can be diagnosed with either intraoral or transcervical ultrasound if clinical examination is inconclusive. Needle aspiration and I&D are both suitable for the management of peritonsillar abscesses. Pilonidal abscesses have traditionally been managed with I&D, but needle aspiration with antibiotics may be a suitable alternative. CONCLUSIONS: This review evaluates the recent literature surrounding abscess management for emergency medicine clinicians.

A Novel Silicon Device for the Packing of Cutaneous Abscesses.

BACKGROUND: Superficial skin abscesses are commonly encountered in emergency medicine practice. Standard treatment includes incision, drainage, and often packing with a gauze strip. The packing component of the procedure has several negative potential outcomes, is painful, and necessitates a return visit for removal. DISCUSSION: Here we report the first case in which a novel silicon packing device was utilized. The patient presented with a facial abscess, which was incised and drained. The novel device was inserted, and removed by the patient independently, without complication. Both patient and provider reported satisfaction with the novel procedure, and noted low pain scores. CONCLUSIONS: This device has the potential to replace traditional packing, and will require further study through a controlled trial to assess for safety and efficacy.

Comparison of the loop technique with incision and drainage for soft tissue abscesses: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Skin and soft tissue infections are a common presentation to the emergency department. Traditional management of abscesses involves a linear incision through the center of the abscess with packing placed. The loop drainage technique (LDT) is an alternate approach that may reduce pain and scarring, as well as decrease the number of follow up visits needed. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the efficacy of the LDT with conventional incision and drainage (CID) in the treatment of soft tissue abscesses. METHODS: PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and bibliographies of selected articles were assessed for all retrospective, prospective, or randomized controlled trials comparing the LDT to CID with an outcome of treatment failure, as defined by the individual study. Data were double extracted into a predefined worksheet and quality analysis was performed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Data were summarized and a meta-analysis was performed with subgroup analyses by adult versus pediatric age groups. RESULTS: This systematic review identified four studies comprising 470 total patients. Overall, the CID technique failed in 25 of 265 cases (9.43%). The LDT failed in 8 of 195 cases (4.10%). There was an odds ratio of 2.63 (95% CI 1.04 to 6.63) in favor of higher failures in the CID group. Funnel plot analysis demonstrated no evidence of publication bias. Subgroups analysis by age group demonstrated improved efficacy of the LDT in pediatric patients, but the adult subgroup did not reach statistical significance. DISCUSSION: The existing literature suggests that LDT is associated with a lower failure rate than CID. However, the data is limited by small sample sizes and predominantly retrospective study designs. Given the potential for less pain, decreased scarring, and lower associated healthcare costs, this technique should be considered for the treatment of skin and soft tissue abscesses in the ED setting, but further studies are needed.

Which Way Would You Slice It? Evaluation of 3 Educational Models for the Loop Drainage Technique.

Introduction: Emergency department visits for cutaneous abscesses are increasing. It is important for healthcare professionals to be proficient in identifying and treating abscesses. Loop drainage technique (LDT) is a newer technique which has been described in several articles but limited resources for teaching have been studied. The objective of this study was to compare 3 models for learning and teaching the LDT. Methods: This was a prospective survey study of a convenience sample of emergency medicine residents at a large urban academic center. Residents volunteered to participate during a scheduled cadaver and simulation session. After a self-directed review of the LDT, each participant performed ultrasound visualization and then the LDT on 3 simulated abscesses: a cadaveric model, a commercial abscess pad, and a homemade phantom. Participants completed pre- and post-simulation surveys. Results: Of 57 residents, 28 participated in the 1-day simulation. The majority (57.1%, p < 0.009) preferred the cadaver model for learning the LDT, and 78.6% reported it to have the most realistic physical examination for an abscess (p = 0.001). Prior to participation, 0% of residents felt proficient performing LDT. After participation, 46.4% of residents felt proficient and 78.6% reported intent to use in clinical practice (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Simulation is an effective educational tool for both learning new skills and improving procedural competency. Residents found cadavers provided the most realistic physical examination, and the majority preferred it for learning the LDT. However, cadavers are not always accessible, an important factor when considering various educational settings.

Prostate tuberculosis complicated by huge prostatic abscess: A rare case report from Nepal.

INTRODUCTION: Prostatic tuberculosis is one of the rarest findings in clinical practice and associated prostatic abscess is even scarce, described in literatures. We present a rare case of prostatic tuberculosis complicated by huge prostatic abscess. PRESENTATION OF A CASE: A 68-year-old male with no any comorbidity presented with history of increased frequency of micturition along with poor flow, urgency and nocturia for 17 days. He was under medical treatment for benign enlargement of prostate for 2 years. Per rectal examination revealed a boggy cystic swelling anteriorly with enlarged prostate with mild tenderness. Ultrasonography abdomen and pelvis showed massive enlargement of prostate with central avascular necrotic area with moving internal echoes. Contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) showed 230 g of prostate with central liquefaction of approximately 101 mm3. Transurethral loop drainage along with resection of prostate was done. Histopathology revealed granulomatous prostatitis highly suggestive of prostatic tuberculosis. Prostatic abscess culture was negative. Patient is currently under category 1 anti-tubercular therapy. DISCUSSION: Prostatic tuberculosis is a rare clinical finding which is commonly seen in patients with disseminated tuberculosis with immunocompromised status. Prostatic abscess in setting of granulomatous tuberculosis of prostate is even rarer. Transrectal ultrasonography is the investigation of choice for diagnosis of abscess if available. Treatment includes drainage of abscess preferably transurethral, and antitubercular therapy. CONCLUSION: Trans-urethral loop drainage is a safe treatment modality for patients presenting with prostatic abscess followed by anti-tubercular therapy if histopathology findings are suggestive of granulomatous lesions.

A minimally invasive incision and loop drainage technique for the treatment of lower limb Morel-Lavallée lesions: Nose ring drainage technique.

Morel-Lavallée lesions (MLLs) are shearing injuries resulting in separation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue from the underlying fascia. They are closed internal degloving injuries. Classical sites of the lesions are around the greater trochanter, pelvis, thigh, knee joint, and on the head, in decreasing order of frequency. This injury is often delayed or misdiagnosed when patients present with soft tissue injury alone or when more obvious injuries distract from its presence in polytrauma patients. There is currently no universally accepted treatment for these lesions. Conservative management often fails and requires surgical intervention. The purpose of this manuscript is to show that nose ring drainage, a minimally invasive incision and loop drainage technique for the treatment of lower limb Morel-Lavallée lesions, is effective and economical.