Packing Versus no Packing for Cutaneous Abscess

The goal of this study is to examine patients undergoing incision and drainage of cutaneous abscesses to determine if routine packing of the abscess cavity affects the need for further interventions such as repeat incision and drainage, antibiotic administration or hospital admission.

Study protocol: Identification of a patient with a cutaneous abscess requiring incision and drainage Written consent obtained from the patient Study materials will be obtained Enrolling physician fills out pre-procedure information (see data sheet) Enrollment data sheet has instructions indicating whether patient is to receive packing or not Use of random number generator to randomize all packets Provider does abscess incision and drainage with or without packing according to the instructions Enrolling physician fills out post-procedure information (see data sheet) Patient returns within 48 hours for wound check with removal of packing if performed Research coordinator or study physician calls the patient within 14 and 30 days after the procedure for follow-up Information from a return visit and/or the telephone follow-up

The patient is to have a long piece of gauze within the abscess cavity in an attempt to keep it open and allow purulent material to continue to drain after the initial incision and release of purulent material has been performed.

Inclusion Criteria: All patients 18 years of age and above Patients that require a cutaneous abscess incision and drainage English-speaking subjects only Exclusion Criteria: Unable to return for 48-hour follow-up. Patients being admitted to the hospital or going to the operating room for incision and drainage Pregnant patients Patients less than 18 years of age Prisoners or persons in police custody Patients with infected bursa Non-English speaking subjects

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Tonkin DM, Murphy E, Brooke-Smith M, Hollington P, Rieger N, Hockley S, Richardson N, Wattchow DA. Perianal abscess: a pilot study comparing packing with nonpacking of the abscess cavity. Dis Colon Rectum. 2004 Sep;47(9):1510-4. doi: 10.1007/s10350-004-0620-1. Epub 2004 Jul 8.