After local anesthesia, a punch biopsy tool is positioned over the inflamed follicular unit, and a small circle of skin (4 to 8 mm in diameter) is excised. A firm twisting motion is necessary to ensure adequately deep excision. Similar to I&D, this is followed by applying digital pressure and gauze scraping to eliminate the fluid contents. The wound is then left open to allow free drainage and heal by secondary intention.

Incision and Drainage is a minimally invasive surgical procedure often employed for the treatment of intensely painful, tense, and fluctuant abscesses that are too deep to drain spontaneously. After administration of a broad circumferential local anesthetic, a small linear incision is made using a standard scalpel blade. Digital pressure is applied to expel the fluid collection. Saline rinses can be used to flush out the remaining contents. This method offers instant pain relief, commonly performed in acute settings by dermatologists, emergency department physicians and general practitioners.

A punch biopsy tool is positioned over the inflamed follicular unit, and a small circle of skin (4 to 8 mm in diameter) is excised. A firm twisting motion is necessary to ensure adequately deep excision.

Recurrence rate in percentage of abscesses recurring after drainage