Percutaneous Needle Aspiration: A Prospective Study of 100 Cases

Abstract

Breast abscess is defined as an acute soft tissue infection which is characterized by localized pain, swelling and redness associated with a mass that may or may not be fluctuant. [1,2] Most breast abscesses develop as a complication of lactational mastitis. OBJECTIVES OF STUDYTo assess the feasibility and effectiveness of percutaneous needle aspiration of breast abscesses as a day care procedure. METHOD AND METHODOLOGYThis prospective study was conducted in patients with breast abscess attending the surgical OPD of a tertiary centre. A total of 100 patients with breast abscess giving consent to participate in study were included in the study. Percutaneous needle aspiration of pus under local anaesthesia was done with 18/16G needle. Empirical antibiotic therapy with amoxicillin+clavulanic acid was started. Aspirated pus was sent for bacteriological study. The antibiotics were changed in accordance to sensitivity report if needed. RESULTSThe mean age of the patients was 28.11 years and youngest patient was of 17 years married female. Most of the patients were lactating female in age group of 25-30 years followed by age group of 20-25 years. Topographically, most breast abscess were located in upper outer quadrant in 38 patients followed by 32 patients having abscess in central region. The mean volume of pus on ultrasonography was 57.32 mL and mean volume of pus on aspiration was 45.75 mL. The mean number of aspiration was 2.18. All of the aspirated pus was sent for culture and sensitivity. Among these, 12 samples of pus were sterile and 88 samples showed growth of organism. CONCLUSIONWith appreciable cure rate by repeated needle aspiration, this method can be preferred as treatment of breast abscess in selected patients.