A comparative study of open drainage versus suction drainage and primary closure in the management of breast abscess at a tertiary care center
Author(s): Sam Vivek G and B Sankararaman
Abstract: Background: Breast abscess, localized collection of pus in the breast, are most common in young lactating women. Aim & Objectives: The main aim of the current study were to compare open versus closed modalities of treatment of breast abscess and also to develop an effective technique for management of breast abscess with less morbidity and its efficacy over conventional method. Methods: A cross sectional prospective study was conducted in Department of Surgery from October 2017 to October 2019 at Guntur Medical College & General Hospital, Andhra Pradesh, India, among the breast abscess cases (both open and closed) was conducted in a group of 100 cases of breast abscess, divided in to two groups, the open group comprising of 60 cases and closed group comprising of 40 cases. The pain in the post-operative patients measured by using Visual analogue scale (VAS). The statistical analysis was done by the unpaired t-test. Results: The incidence of breast abscess was most commonly seen in young women between the age group 21-30 years (35%). The VAS in group A and group B at days 1,2,3,4 respectively in both the groups were 9±1.2, 6.2±1.1; 7.2±2.1, 4.2±0.9; 5.2±1.2, 3.1±1.6; 2.5±1.2, 1.2±0.7. We observed that there was a significant (p<0.001) VAS score in group A compared to Group B. The hospital stay was13±2.1 days in group A and 7±1.2 days in group B. Hospital stay was significantly higher in group A compared to Group B. Wound healing significantly (p<0.001) faster in group B (9±1.2) compared to group A (11±2.4). Conclusions: On comparing the two methods of treatment of breast abscess, the primary closure technique was superior to the conventional technique in terms of duration of healing, post operative pain, number of dressings required, length of hospitalization, post operative complications and quality of healing.
