This study compares Aquacel against routine Iodoform packing for packing abscess cavities after incision and drainage. It is hypothesized that Aquacel will produce speedier healing of the abscess.
The large increase in the incidence of skin and soft tissue infections cause by methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has produced a corresponding increase in the number of ED patients presenting with abscesses that require incision and drainage. This study compares Aquacel against routine Iodoform packing for packing abscess cavities after incision and drainage. It is hypothesized that Aquacel will produce speedier healing of the abscess. More effective abscess healing will reduce the need for oral antibiotic coverage, which will in turn reduce the potential for drug resistance caused by indiscriminate use of oral antibiotics.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
92
Dressing for packing a cutaneous abscess
Aquacel dressing
Maricopa Integrated Health System
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Number of Participants Who Experienced a 30% or Greater Reduction in Surface Area of Abscess
Participants were assessed to see whether or not the surface area of the abscess was reduced by at least 30%, and the number of such participants is reported.
Time frame: 2 weeks
Change in Patient Rating of Pain
Change in mean pain score based on patient self-report, using Wong-Baker FACES pain rating scale. Scale ranges from 0 to 5, where 5 means the worst pain possible and 0 means no pain at all.
Time frame: Baseline and 2 weeks
Number of Participants Who Experienced a 30% or Greater Reduction in Surface Area of Cellulitis.
Participants were assessed to see whether or not the surface area of the cellulitis was reduced by at least 30% and the number of such participants was reported.
Time frame: 2 weeks
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