Loop Drainage: Effectiveness in Treating Cutaneous Abscesses
| Status: | Terminated |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Skin and Soft Tissue Infections |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Dermatology / Plastic Surgery |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - Any |
| Updated: | 4/21/2018 |
| Start Date: | October 2016 |
| End Date: | February 1, 2018 |
Evaluation of Loop Drainage Technique Versus Standard Incision and Drainage for Treatment of Simple Soft Tissue Abscesses
In the Emergency Department (ED), patients frequently seek medical treatment for cutaneous
abscesses. Traditional incision and drainage (I&D), with or without packing of cutaneous
abscesses has long been the accepted standard of care. This procedure is often very painful
for the patient. Additionally, compliance with wound care and follow-up can present barriers
to proper care and healing. Research has suggested that incision and loop drainage of an
abscess may be another effective treatment for simple cutaneous abscess. Thus far, research
into this procedure has been limited to the pediatric population with small sample sizes. In
these previous studies, this technique was found to be an effective and less painful
treatment for abscesses. Research has not been done in the adult population using this
procedure. If this procedure is found to be as effective and less painful in the adult
population, then it should be considered as a potential preferred I&D method for cutaneous
abscess in the ED.
abscesses. Traditional incision and drainage (I&D), with or without packing of cutaneous
abscesses has long been the accepted standard of care. This procedure is often very painful
for the patient. Additionally, compliance with wound care and follow-up can present barriers
to proper care and healing. Research has suggested that incision and loop drainage of an
abscess may be another effective treatment for simple cutaneous abscess. Thus far, research
into this procedure has been limited to the pediatric population with small sample sizes. In
these previous studies, this technique was found to be an effective and less painful
treatment for abscesses. Research has not been done in the adult population using this
procedure. If this procedure is found to be as effective and less painful in the adult
population, then it should be considered as a potential preferred I&D method for cutaneous
abscess in the ED.
Patients who meet study criteria for treatment of a simple cutaneous abscess and desire to be
a part of this study, will be consented. Study subjects will be enrolled and randomly
assigned to either the study or control groups.
Control Group- standard I & D method for cutaneous abscess.
Study Group- Loop Technique:
1. Gather all of your material and bring to bedside
2. Clean area with chlorhexidine or iodine swabs
3. Anesthetize area
4. Use your scalpel to make small 5mm incision at most fluctuant area of abscess
5. Explore cavity with your hemostat and break down loculations
6. Make second incision less than 4cm away from first incision. Feel borders of abscess,
and try to make second incision as far within cavity as you can.
7. For larger abscesses can repeat step 5 thus creating several LOOPs.
8. Irrigate cavity with saline flush
9. Pass hemostat through both incisions and pull loop vessel, penrose, or bottom of glove
through. Keep your loop device equal in length on both sides.
10. Tie loop device loosely over 30cc syringe to form LOOP. Usually 5-6 knots. This helps
prevent loop from falling out prematurely.
11. Slide syringe out, and trim free ends of loop. Make sure loop is mobile.
12. Cover site with dry dressing. Follow-Up-
- Wound check in 1-2 days
- Patient may manage drain at home by rotating it to facilitate drainage and prevent
adhesion
- Patient will be instructed to return to the Emergency Department for drain removal
in 5-7 days.
a part of this study, will be consented. Study subjects will be enrolled and randomly
assigned to either the study or control groups.
Control Group- standard I & D method for cutaneous abscess.
Study Group- Loop Technique:
1. Gather all of your material and bring to bedside
2. Clean area with chlorhexidine or iodine swabs
3. Anesthetize area
4. Use your scalpel to make small 5mm incision at most fluctuant area of abscess
5. Explore cavity with your hemostat and break down loculations
6. Make second incision less than 4cm away from first incision. Feel borders of abscess,
and try to make second incision as far within cavity as you can.
7. For larger abscesses can repeat step 5 thus creating several LOOPs.
8. Irrigate cavity with saline flush
9. Pass hemostat through both incisions and pull loop vessel, penrose, or bottom of glove
through. Keep your loop device equal in length on both sides.
10. Tie loop device loosely over 30cc syringe to form LOOP. Usually 5-6 knots. This helps
prevent loop from falling out prematurely.
11. Slide syringe out, and trim free ends of loop. Make sure loop is mobile.
12. Cover site with dry dressing. Follow-Up-
- Wound check in 1-2 days
- Patient may manage drain at home by rotating it to facilitate drainage and prevent
adhesion
- Patient will be instructed to return to the Emergency Department for drain removal
in 5-7 days.
Inclusion Criteria:
1. 18 years or older
2. Presents to ED with simple cutaneous abscess
3. Provides informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Under 18 years of age
2. Abscess too small for performance of procedure
3. Signs of systemic infection
4. Need for hospitalization
5. Previously treated for current abscess
6. Clinician determines abscess would not be amenable to drainage by loop technique
7. Patients known to be pregnant
8. Incarcerated patients
9. Students / Employees of the facility
10. Presence of any other condition(s) that the investigator feels makes the patient
unsuitable for study inclusion.
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