Abscess Incision and Drainage (I&D)
From Guide to YKHC Medical Practices
Small abscesses may be drained via needle decompression however most abscesses seen in the emergency room benefit from scalpel incision and drainage.
- Although incision and drainage is not a sterile procedure and does not require sterile technique, typically skin is cleansed with chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine prior to placement of a field block with lidocaine or bupivacaine (step A in image).
- Use a scalpel with a #11 blade to make an incision into the abscess pocket and loculations are bluntly dissected with forceps or wound probe (step B-D).
- While small abscesses may be allowed to drain on their own, most abscesses warranting I&D benefit from packing with either plain gauze, iodoform gauze or a drain (step E).
- Large abscesses may require two incisions to be made and placement of a through Dermastent or penrose drain.
- All purulent drainage should be sent for wound culture to guide antibiotic therapy.
- Per YKHC guidelines abscesses with >/= 10 cm of cellulitis should be covered with antibiotics.
- If there is concern for deep abscesses formal or bedside US may assist in evaluation.
Resources/References
- Fitch et al. Abscess Incision and Drainage N Engl J Med 2007; 357:e20. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMvcm071319
- Skin and Soft Tissue Infection (YKHC Common/Unique Diagnoses)
- Skin and Soft Tissue Infection YKHC Clinical Guideline