DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2018.v06i11.083

Pages: 4622-4627

Breast abscess is common in puerperal period secondary to mastitis with incidence of 4.8%-11%. The conventional method of incision and drainage of the breast abscess has undergone a gradual change from invasive to minimally invasive method of percutaneous placement of suction drain. To compare the effectiveness of percutaneous placement of suction drain in drainage of puerperal breast abscesses, with conventional incision and drainage with reference to postoperative pain, residual abscess, duration of hospital stay, time required for complete healing and appearance of scar. In our prospective study, 60 patients admitted to Bapuji Hospital and Chigateri General Hospital with a primary diagnosis of lactational breast abscess, between June 2016 and May 2018, were included. Patients were alternately treated by incision and drainage and percutaneous placement of suction drain under general anaesthesia. Minimal postoperative pain was observed in patients who underwent. Percutaneous placement of suction drain (VAS G1 and G2) compared to the patients who underwent incision and drainage (G4 and G5). Residual abscess was found in one case in the incision and drainage group and 3 cases in the group that underwent percutaneous placement of suction drain. Mean duration of hospital stay in the incision and drainage group was 7.9 days and that in the group that underwent percutaneous placement of suction drain was 4.3 days. Mean duration of complete healing in the group that underwent incision and drainage was 28 days and that in the group that underwent percutaneous placement of suction drains was 13.2 days. Patients who underwent percutaneous placement of suction drain had a minimal scar at the entry and exit site whereas the patients who underwent incision and drainage had poor cosmetic outcome with a large scar. Percutaneous placement of suction drain is an effective method of drainage of breast abscess as it less invasive, requires lesser time for complete healing,