Irrigation Versus no Irrigation for Cutaneous Abscess

Is Routine Irrigation of Cutaneous Abscesses Necessary?

In this study, the investigators are trying to find out if washing out the abscess (pocket of pus) with fluid will help, instead of only taking out the pus. Your care will be the same as usual, except that you will be selected randomly to have your abscess washed out with fluid, or not.

Irrigation of the abscess cavity is commonly described as part of the procedure of incision and drainage of cutaneous abscesses (1-4). Despite this, there are no randomized controlled trials that demonstrate the benefit of irrigation in treatment of these abscesses. Potential disadvantages of irrigation include increased procedural time, pain, increased cost with sterile irrigation solutions and materials to capture the irrigation effluent, and increased risk of microbiologic contamination of the surrounding area. The goal of this study is to examine patients undergoing incision and drainage of cutaneous abscesses to determine if irrigation of the abscess cavity affects the need for further interventions.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. All patients 18 years of age and above
2. Patients that require a cutaneous abscess incision and drainage

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Unable to return for 48-hour followup.
2. Patients being admitted to the hospital or going to the operating room for incision and drainage
3. Pregnant patients
4. Prisoners