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Videos in Clinical Medicine
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Volume 357:e20 November 8, 2007 Number 19
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Abscess Incision and Drainage
Michael T. Fitch, M.D., Ph.D., David E. Manthey, M.D., Henderson D. McGinnis, M.D., Bret A. Nicks, M.D., and Manoj Pariyadath, M.D.

Since this article has no abstract, below are the first 100 words from the narration of this Video in Clinical Medicine and its chapter headings.

 
 

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Incision and drainage is the primary therapy for cutaneous abscess management, as antibiotic treatment alone is inadequate for treating many of these loculated collections of infectious material. Most localized skin abscesses without associated cellulitis can be managed with simple incision and drainage and do not require antibiotic treatment. Cutaneous abscesses have been described in all areas of the body, but are most commonly found in the axillae, buttocks, and extremities. This outpatient procedure is appropriate for many office settings, as well as for urgent care and emergency department practice environments. Diagnosis of a skin abscess is the first step . . . .

Chapters:

  • Overview
  • Indications
  • Contraindications
  • Equipment
  • Preparation
  • Abscess Incision and Drainage
  • Aftercare
  • Complications

 
References

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  4. Llera JL, Levy RC. Treatment of cutaneous abscess: a double-blind clinical study. Ann Emerg Med 1985;14:15-19. [Medline]
  5. Hankin A, Everett WW. Are antibiotics necessary after incision and drainage of a cutaneous abscess? Ann Emerg Med 2007;50:49-51. [CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  6. Halvorson GD, Halvorson JE, Iserson KV. Abscess incision and drainage in the emergency department -- part I. J Emerg Med 1985;3:227-232. [CrossRef][Medline]
  7. Squire BT, Fox JC, Anderson C. ABSCESS: applied bedside sonography for convenient evaluation of superficial soft tissue infections. Acad Emerg Med 2005;12:601-606. [CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  8. Fine BC, Sheckman PR, Bartlett JC. Incision and drainage of soft-tissue abscesses and bacteremia. Ann Intern Med 1985;103:645-645. [Free Full Text]
  9. Burney RE. Incision and drainage procedures: soft tissue abscesses in the emergency service. Emerg Med Clin North Am 1986;4:527-542. [Medline]
  10. Frazee BW, Lynn J, Charlebois ED, Lambert L, Lowery D, Perdreau-Remington F. High prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in emergency department skin and soft tissue infections. Ann Emerg Med 2005;45:311-320. [CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  11. Moran GJ, Krishnadasan A, Gorwitz RJ, et al. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus infections among patients in the emergency department. N Engl J Med 2006;355:666-674. [Free Full Text]



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