European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Breast abscess is defined as an acute inflammatory lump which yields pus on incision or aspiration. Puerperal breast abscess is a common problem in lactating mothers causing significant morbidity with the incidence ranging from 0.4 to 11% in Indian subcontinent. It is due to nipple piercing by a child during feeding and bacterial colonization due to improper nursing technique and incomplete emptying of the breast.           
Methods: This is a prospective study conducted in the department of general surgery IGIMS, Patna, India from July 2020 to June 2021 after taking approval from institutional ethics committee. Total 60 female patients aged between 14 -65 years of diagnosed breast abscess both clinically and Ultrasonologically were enrolled in this study. After taking written informed consent, 30 patients had undergone USG guided needle aspiration of breast abscess (Group A) and 30 patients had undergone Incision and Drainage of breast abscess (Group B).
Results: The mean age of female patients in this study were 18-42 yrs. 90% were lactating. The most common organism isolated was Staphylococcus Aureus. The mean healing time and cosmetic outcome was significantly (0.001) very good in patients treated with USG guided aspiration compared to Incision and Drainage. There was 13.3% recurrence of breast abscess observed in group A during study. There was no recurrence rate were observed in incision and drainage group.
Conclusions: Breast abscess in a patient with diameter of less than 10 cm can be treated successfully with USG guided aspiration and with good cosmetic outcome.