Abscess Incision And Drainage

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• An abscess incision and drainage is a procedure to cut open the skin and drain pus from the abscess. An abscess is a collection of pus in a warm, red, tender, and swollen lesion (wound). It is most commonly caused by bacteria (germs). An abscess may occur anywhere in or on the body, including the skin. An abscess that needs incision and drainage is usually located deep in soft tissues, such as the thigh.
  
  
• During an abscess incision and drainage, pus that is collected from the abscess may be sent to a lab for tests. A culture or examination of the pus may help your caregiver know what kind of bacteria is causing the infection. A culture will also help your caregiver know what medicines to give you to kill the bacteria.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

Having an incision and drainage may be very painful and put you at risk of bleeding. Other areas close to the infected area may be affected and problems, such as a bone infection, may occur. You may have problems with blood supply to the area that may lead to tissue death. A scar may form on your skin as it heals. Sometimes, the infection may come back and the abscess may form again after being treated successfully. If left untreated, the infection may get worse and the abscess may grow larger. The infection may also spread to other parts or organs of the body. Talk with your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your procedure, medicine, or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Before your procedure:

• Informed consent: You have the right to understand your health condition in words that you know. You should be told what tests, treatments, or procedures may be done to treat your condition. Your doctor should also tell you about the risks and benefits of each treatment. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives caregivers permission to do certain tests, treatments, or procedures. If you are unable to give your consent, someone who has permission can sign this form for you. A consent form is a legal piece of paper that tells exactly what will be done to you. Before giving your consent, make sure all your questions have been answered so that you understand what may happen.
  
  
• IV: An IV is a tube placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. This tube is capped or connected to tubing and liquid.
  
  
• Pre-op care: You may be given medicine right before your procedure or surgery. This medicine may make you feel relaxed and sleepy. You are taken on a stretcher to the room where your procedure or surgery will be done, and then you are moved to a table or bed.
  
  
• Monitoring: Careful monitoring may be needed depending on the anesthesia that will be used. You may have any of the following:
  
  
  • Heart monitor: This is also called an ECG. Sticky pads are placed on different parts of your body. Each pad has a wire that is hooked to a TV-type screen. This shows caregivers a tracing of the electrical activity of your heart.
    
    
  • Pulse oximeter: A pulse oximeter is a machine that tells how much oxygen is in your blood. A cord with a clip or sticky strip is placed on your ear, finger, or toe. The other end of the cord is hooked to a machine. Caregivers use this machine to see if you need more oxygen.
    
    
  • Vital signs: This includes taking your temperature, blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeat), and respirations (counting your breaths). To take your blood pressure, a cuff is put on your arm and tightened. The cuff is attached to a machine which gives your blood pressure reading. Caregivers may listen to your heart and lungs by using a stethoscope. Your vital signs are taken so caregivers can see how you are doing.
  
  
• Anesthesia: This is medicine to make you comfortable during the procedure. Your caregivers will decide which type of anesthesia medicine is best for you. You may have any of the following:
  
  
  • Local anesthesia: This is medicine to make you more comfortable during your procedure or surgery. It is a shot of medicine put into the skin. It is used to numb the area and dull your pain. You may still feel pressure or pushing during the procedure or surgery after you get this medicine.
    
    
  • Regional anesthesia: Caregivers give this medicine to make you numb or to keep you from feeling pain during or after the procedure. It works by blocking a nerve that goes to a particular part of your body. Blocking a nerve keeps you from feeling anything in the area that nerve serves.
    
    
  • General anesthesia: This is medicine that may be given in your IV or as a gas that you breathe. You may wear a face mask or have a tube placed in your mouth and throat. This tube is called an endotracheal tube or ET tube. Usually you are asleep before caregivers put the tube into your throat. The ET tube is usually removed before you wake up. You are completely asleep and free from pain during surgery.

During your procedure:

• You will lie on a table on your side, back, or stomach, depending on where your abscess is. Caregivers will clean the skin around the abscess with soap and water. This soap may make your skin yellow, but it will be cleaned off later. Sheets are put over you to keep the area clean.
  
  
• An incision (cut) is made over the abscess. An instrument wrapped in gauze, or a cotton swab, is used to clean the inside of the abscess. Caregivers then clean the cavity (hole) by washing it with a saline (salt water) solution. The abscess cavity is then packed with plain gauze or gauze with an iodine solution on it. If caregivers think that a foreign object may be present in the cavity, an x-ray may be taken. This is usually taken before the packing is placed in the cavity. Dry gauze is placed over the packing and taped down. The affected part may be placed in a splint.

After surgery: You are taken to a room where you can rest. Caregivers will check on you. When they see that you are ready, you may also be allowed to go home. If you are staying in the hospital, you will be taken to your hospital room. Do not get out of bed until your caregiver says it is OK. A bandage is used to cover your stitches or staples. This bandage keeps the area clean and dry to help prevent infection. A caregiver may remove the bandage soon after your procedure or surgery to check the area.

• Activity: Caregivers may help you get out of bed to walk on the same day of surgery, or the day after. Ask caregivers if there are exercises that you may do while in bed. Exercise helps blood move through your body and may help prevent blood clots from forming. Your caregiver will tell you when it is OK to get out of bed. Call your caregiver before getting up for the first time. If you feel weak or dizzy while standing up, sit or lie down right away and call your caregiver.
  
  
• Medicines: Your caregiver may give you the following kinds of medicines:
  
  
  • Antibiotics: Antibiotics may be given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by germs called bacteria.
    
    
  • Medicines for pain, swelling, or fever: You may be given medicines to treat pain, swelling, or fever while you are in the hospital. These medicines are safe for most people to use. However, they can cause serious problems when used by people with certain medical conditions. Tell caregivers if you have liver or kidney disease, a history of bleeding in your stomach, or any other medical problems. Also tell your caregiver about any allergies you have to medicines. Tell your caregiver about all other medicines, herbs, and supplements that you have taken lately.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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