The incidence of skin and soft tissue infections has increased dramatically over the last decade, in part due to increased prevalence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA). Incision and drainage (I\&D) is considered the primary intervention, however some clinicians prefer ultrasound guided needle aspiration (US Asp). The investigators performed a randomized trial comparing US Asp to I\&D for uncomplicated skin and soft tissue abscesses, with a subgroup analysis of patients with CA-MRSA.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
101
Surgical incision of the skin surface followed by expression of purulence with or without debridement or manual exploration of abscess cavity.
Ultrasound is used to identify the abscess cavity. An 18 gauge needle is introduced into the abscess cavity and manual aspiration of the abscess contents is attempted.
Beth Isreal Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
University of Massachusetts
Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
Successful drainage of abscess
Clinical outcome at 7 days
Time frame: 7 days
Successful drainage of abscess
Healing of abscess following drainage procedure at day 2
Time frame: 2 days
Ability to evacuate purulence from abscess
Amount of purulence produced by drainage procedure on day 1
Time frame: Day 1
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