Needle aspiration of breast abscess could be considered a standard practice?

ABSTRACT

The revolution, in surgery, of laparasopic cholecystectomy as the gold standard for the treatment of gall stone, has urged many surgeons to apply this minimally invasive technique in varieties of surgical problems including breast abscess. In this study the technique of needle aspiration, being a minimal invasive approach has been done for 24 patients aged between 18 and 40 years [median 27]. There were 22 abscesses in the right breast [9 1.6%] and 2 abscess in the left one [7.4%]. Twenty patients were lactating [83.3%] while 4 were non lactating [16.7%]. The total number of patients who benefited from aspiration was 21[87.5%] [11 needed once aspiration 45.8%, 6 needed twice aspirations 25% while 4 needed 3 aspirations 16.7%]. No complications as milk fistula were seen with incision and drainage. No distress for mother or baby as regard breast feeding [all lactating patients were encouraged to continue breast feeding]. No need for general anaesthesia with its hazards, hospital stay or post treatment dressing which in turn minimized the cost. In conclusion, needle aspiration is effective alternative to incision and drainage in management of breast abscess and may surpass it, being less painful, less distressing, less costly with minimal morbidity and could be considered a standard for treatment of breast abscess