PUERPERAL BREAST ABSCESSES

PERCUTANEOUS ULTRASOUND GUIDED DRAINAGE COMPARED WITH CONVENTIONAL INCISION AND DRAINAGE.

Abstract

. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the management of puerperal breast abscess by ultrasound guided
percutaneous drainage v/s incision and drainage with special attention to resolution time and complications. Setting: Allied Hospital Faisalabad.
Period: Jan 2005- June 2007. Patients and Methods: 60 patients with puerperal breast abscess were studied. Patients were divided into two
groups randomly after informed consent. In Group A; patients were treated with percutaneous drainage under local anesthesia while Group
B patients were treated by conventional incision and drainage, and results were compared with reference to resolution time and complications
rate using student’s t-test. Results: By percutaneous method abscess healed in 5-8 days time. Recurrent abscess was found in one case (3%),
milk fistula formation in one case (3%) and no residual abscess was found. There was no scar formation, induration or distortion of the breast
parenchyma. Breast-feeding was interrupted in four patients (13%) only due to milk fistula (one case), recurrent abscess (one case) and
patient’s own preference (two cases). On the other hand by conventional method healing took 15-25 days with pain and discomfort of daily
dressings, scarring and cessation of breast feeding in most of the cases. Conclusion: Percutaneous ultrasound guided placement of suction
drainage catheter in puerperal breast abscess for 5-8 days is less invasive, high resolution rate, scarless, low complication rate and preserves
the function of breast-feeding as compared to conventional incision and drainage.