EC Microbiology

Introduction: An abscess is a collection or pool of pus inside the body. Pus collection can be cutaneous in common skin abscesses or deep in intra-abdominal cases. However, abscesses usually result from a bacterial infection or foreign object entrapped within the body. Therefore, it is essential to drain the abscess and contain its spread. In this review, we will discuss various approaches to abscess management.

Aim of the Work: An overview describes various approaches to abscess management.

Methodology: The review is a thorough review of PUBMED articles from 1985 to 2019 relating to abscess management.

Conclusion: After discussing various approaches to abscess management, it is clear from the literature that an immunocompetent patient can undergo incision and drainage under local anesthesia for abscess management. There is no evidence to either support the culturing of microbial organisms or the use of empirical antibiotics. Maintaining a sterile environment during the surgical procedure is of utmost importance. Thoroughly draining the abscess during surgical exploration without damaging vital structures is also a determining factor in the prognosis. Finally, placing the surgical drain, thick dressing, and regular checkups for at least a week cannot be ignored

Keywords: Abscess; Skin Abscess; Intra-Abdominal Abscess; Incision and Drainage; Percutaneous Drainage; Empirical Antibiotics

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