This document discusses soft tissue swellings like lipomas and sebaceous cysts. It focuses on abscesses, defining them as localized infections surrounded by inflamed tissue. Abscesses are commonly found on the extremities, buttocks, breast or perianal area. The document outlines indications for incision and drainage of abscesses, including those that are fluctuant or not resolving with antibiotics. It describes the materials, procedure, potential complications and follow up for incision and drainage of abscesses.

1. Soft tissue swellings
• Lipoma
• Sebaceous cysts
• Warts

2. Lipoma

4. Sinus tracts
Blind ending tract lined by epithelium
1.Pilonidal sinus
2.Pre auricular sinuses

5. Sinus Tracts

6. Abscess

7. DEFINITION
• Abcesses are localized infections of tissue marked
by a collection of pus and surrounded by inflamed
tissue.
• They may be found in any area of the body, but most
present on the extremities, buttocks, breast, perianal
area or from the base of a hair follicle.
• Abcesses begin when normal skin barrier is
breached and microorganisms invade the underlying
tissue and also in immunecompromised patients
such as diabetes and chemotherapy patients .

8. INDICATIONS
• A fluctulant abcess on the skin that is papable
• It does not resolve with conservative measures, e.g.
warm compress and antibiotics
• Causative organisms commonly include
streptococcous, staphylococcus, enteric bacteria
and gram – negative organisms

9. • Extremely large abscesses which require extensive incision,
debridement, or irrigation; they are best done in Operation
room.
• Deep abscesses in very sensitive areas - supralevator,
ischiorectal, perirectal - these require general anesthetic to
obtain proper exposure
• Palmar space abscesses, or abscesses in the deep plantar
spaces
• Abscesses in the nasolabial folds – they may drain to
cavernous sinus and this area is known as dangerous area.
• intra abdominal abscesses and bone abscesses known as
osteomilitis are difficult to treat.

10. MATERIALS
• Universal precautions materials i.e. gloves, surgical mask,
surgical gown
• 2% lidocaine WITH epinephrine for local anesthesia, 10 cc
syringe and 25 gauge needle for infiltration
• Skin prep solution ( pyodine)
• #11 scalpel blade with handle
• Draping
• Guaze
• Hemostat, scissors, packing
• Tape
• Culture swab

12. PROCEDURE
• Obtain informed consent
• Inform the patient of potential severe complications
and their treatment
• Explain the steps of the procedure, including the not
insignificant pain associated with anesthetic
infiltration
• Explain necessity for follow-up, including packing
change or removal
•

13. PROCEDURE CONTINUED
• Use universal precautions
• Cleanse site over abscess with skin prep
• Drape to create a sterile field
• Infiltrate local anesthetic, allow 2-3 minutes
for anesthetic to take effect
• Incise widely over abscess with the #11
blade, cutting through the skin into the
abscess cavity. Follow skin fold lines
whenever able while making the incision

14. PROCEDURE CONTINUED
• Allow the pus to drain, using the gauzes to soak
up drainage and blood. Use culture swab to take
culture of abscess contents, swabbing inside the
abscess cavity
• Use the hemostat to gently explore the abscess
cavity to break up any loculations within the
abscess
• Using the packing strip, pack the abscess cavity
• Place gauze dressing over wound, and tape in
place

16. COMPLICATIONS AND MANAGEMENT
Complication Prevention Management
Insufficient
anesthesia
Remember that the tissue
around an abscess is
acidotic, and local
anesthetic loses
effectiveness in
acidotic tissues
Do a field block; use
sufficient quantity
of anesthetic; allow
time for anesthetic
effect
No drainage Localize site of incision by
palpation
Extend incision deeper
or wider as needed
Drainage is
sebaceous
material
Abscess was an inflamed
sebaceous cyst
Express all material,
break up sac with
hemostat, pack
open as with an
abscess

17. FOLLOW UP
• Arrange at least one follow up with the patient to check for
proper healing