Recovery after mastitis abscess drainage

If mastitis is severe, it often leads to the formation of abscesses, especially in acute mastitis, which is more common. In this case, the abscess can be cleaned out by drainage. This can prevent the inflammation from getting worse. Generally speaking, after drainage and pus removal, the wound needs some time to recover. Most women will recover well within a month.

Recovery after mastitis abscess drainage

When acute mastitis reaches the stage of abscess formation, timely incision and drainage are required. The size and position of the incision should be based on the principle of ensuring smooth drainage of pus. Because breast abscesses are often multi-chambered, it is necessary to use fingers to separate the connective tissue partitions of multiple abscess cavities so that drainage can be unobstructed.

Abscesses deep in the breast are mainly characterized by high fever and chills. The local redness and swelling are not obvious, and there is no fluctuation. A puncture and pus extraction test can be done first, and then an incision can be made after the presence of pus is confirmed. It is best not to wait for breast abscess to rupture on its own, because the abscess cavities are often multiple or occur one after another, and the spontaneous rupture cannot be drained completely. Generally speaking, as long as the pus is drained and the fever subsides, suppurative mastitis will enter the wound healing period. The dressing will be changed every other day, and the wound will usually heal within a month.

Surgical procedures

1. The incision is made at the lowest part of the abscess, with the nipple as the center, and radial incisions are made to avoid damaging the mammary ducts and causing milk fistula. For abscesses located in the areola, an arc-shaped incision should be made along the edge of the areola. For an abscess deep behind the breast, make an arc-shaped incision along the inframammary fold. If the abscess is large and drainage is difficult, oral drainage is required.

2. After incision of the skin and subcutaneous tissue for pus drainage, use hemostatic forceps for blunt separation. After entering the abscess cavity, stretch it open to allow the pus to flow out, then insert your fingers into the abscess cavity to explore and separate the fibrous septa. If necessary, expand the incision downward to prevent pus from remaining; perform cross-mouth drainage when necessary. Finally, rinse the abscess cavity and place a soft rubber tube or cigarette for drainage. If the incision bleeds, it can be packed with oil gauze to stop the bleeding and then bandaged with sterile gauze.

Postoperative care

1. Use a bandage to support the breasts after surgery to prevent sagging, which helps improve local blood circulation.

2. Sucking and breastfeeding should be suspended during the lactation period. Use a breast pump to drain your milk regularly. If there is milk leakage or the patient voluntarily weans, 5 mg of ethidium bromide can be taken orally 3 times a day for 3 to 5 days.

3. Change the dressing every 1 to 2 days after surgery to ensure effective drainage and prevent residual abscesses, prolonged non-healing, or premature closure of the incision.

4. For patients with severe infection and systemic poisoning, the infection should be actively controlled and systemic supportive therapy should be given.