This prospective interventional study compares the effectiveness of standard incision and drainage versus percutaneous suction drain placement in the management of acute pyogenic breast abscess. Eighty patients were enrolled and allocated equally into two groups. The study evaluates outcomes including postoperative pain, duration of hospital stay, wound healing time, number of dressings required, complications, and recurrence. The aim is to determine whether percutaneous suction drainage provides superior clinical outcomes compared to conventional surgical management.
Acute breast abscess is a common surgical condition requiring prompt intervention. Conventional incision and drainage (I\&D) has been the standard treatment; however, it is associated with increased pain, prolonged healing, and frequent dressings. Minimally invasive techniques such as percutaneous suction drainage (PSD) have emerged as alternatives with potential advantages. This prospective comparative interventional study was conducted at GSVM Medical College, Kanpur, from May 2025 to Feb 2026. Eighty patients diagnosed with acute pyogenic breast abscess were allocated into two groups: Group A (I\&D) and Group B (PSD). Outcomes assessed included postoperative pain (VAS score), duration of hospital stay, wound healing time, number of dressings, complications (residual abscess, fistula), and recurrence at 3 months. The study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of both treatment modalities.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
80
Standard surgical incision and drainage of breast abscess with evacuation of pus.
Minimally invasive placement of suction catheter for drainage of breast abscess.
Gsvm Medical College
Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
Postoperative pain
Postoperative pain will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a patient-reported pain assessment scale ranging from 0 to 10, where: 0 = no pain 10 = worst imaginable pain Higher scores indicate greater pain severity. Pain scores will be recorded on postoperative Day 1, Day 3, Day 7, Day 14, Day 30, Day 60, and Day 90 after the procedure.
Time frame: Day 1, 3, 7, 14, 30, 60, and 90 post procedure
Number of Dressings
Total number of postoperative dressings required per patient in number
Time frame: Within 30 days post-procedure
Length of Hospitalization
Length of hospital stay measured in days from procedure to discharge
Time frame: Up to 15 days post-procedure
Wound healing
Time to complete wound healing, defined as the number of days from the procedure to full epithelialization of the wound with absence of discharge, assessed by clinical examination.
Time frame: From procedure to complete wound healing (up to 30 days)
Residual Abscess
Incidence of residual abscess, defined as the presence of a persistent or recurrent fluid collection at the original site confirmed by clinical examination and/or ultrasonography after the initial procedure.
Time frame: Within 30 days post-procedure
FISTULA FORMATION
Incidence of fistula formation, defined as the development of a persistent abnormal tract with discharge from the wound site following the procedure, confirmed by clinical examination.
Time frame: Within 30 days post-procedure
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.