A comparative study of conventional incision and drainage versus incision and drainage with primary closure of the wound in acute abscesses

Purpose: Acute soft tissue abscess is a very common condition. This study was undertaken to compare the outcome of conventional incision and drainage versus incision and drainage with primary closure of wound in acute abscesses with regards to better healing rate, less postoperative pain, less hospital stay, low cost of treatment, and less recurrence rate. Introduction: Acute soft tissue abscesses are common conditions in surgical practice. The established principle of surgical management of abscesses has been incision and drainage. This modality of treatment has been challenged with the introduction of antibiotics. The aim of our study was to compare the conventional method of incision and drainage with the alternative method of incision and drainage with primary closure and negative suction drain. Materials and Methods: In our study, 100 patients admitted with superficial abscess excluding patient suffering from systemic diseases. Deep seated abscesses (e.g., intra-abdominal abscess, pelvic), abscess cavity of internal diameter of >5 cm. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group A included 50 patients treated by conventional incision and drainage; Group B included 50 patients treated by the incision and drainage with Primary closure and negative suction drain. Patient were assessed during the hospital stay and follow-up on following criteria for postoperative pain by visual analog score, days of hospital stay, wound healing, treatment cost and recurrence. Results: A total of 100 patients were randomized to primary or secondary closure. The time of wound healing, length of hospital stay and postoperative pain were less for Group B patients than in Group A patients. Results found significant pertaining to wound healing, postoperative pain, days of hospital stay treatment cost and recurrence in Group B than Group A. Conclusion: In our study, incision and drainage with primary closure combined with use negative suction drain is more effective than that of incision and drain.