What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Common treatments for skin abscesses, such as incision and drainage followed by packing with gauze or silicone devices, can have several side effects. These may include pain and discomfort during and after the procedure, risk of infection, and potential for bleeding. Patients may also experience swelling and redness at the treatment site. In some cases, there may be an allergic reaction to the packing material. Additionally, improper packing can lead to premature closure of the abscess cavity, which may necessitate further medical intervention.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

FDA-approved treatments for skin abscesses typically involve the use of antibiotics to combat infection and proper wound care management. While specific FDA approvals for the routine packing of abscess cavities are not detailed, the general approach includes incision and drainage of the abscess, followed by measures to ensure the cavity remains open for adequate drainage, which may involve packing. Antibiotics such as clindamycin, doxycycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole are commonly used in conjunction with these procedures.

What other types of research exist?

Promising alternatives to routine packing of abscess cavities include Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) and the use of advanced pneumatic compression devices. NPWT helps by immobilizing the skin and removing exudate, which can prevent premature closure and maintain drainage. Advanced pneumatic compression devices have shown significant benefits in reducing limb volume and preventing complications such as cellulitis, which can be adapted for abscess management.

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Abscess Cavity Packing for Skin Abscess

N/A

Recruiting

Led By Michael Darracq, MD, MPH

Research Sponsored by University of California, San Francisco

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Patients that require a cutaneous abscess incision and drainage

English-speaking subjects only

Must not have

Patients with infected bursa

Non-English speaking subjects

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up 14 days

Summary

This trial is studying whether filling the space left after draining a skin infection helps patients heal better. It focuses on people with skin abscesses and aims to see if this method reduces the need for more treatments.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for English-speaking adults over 18 who need an abscess in their skin drained and can come back for a check-up in two days. It's not for pregnant women, minors, prisoners, those with infected bursa, non-English speakers, or patients needing hospital admission.

What is being tested?

The study is looking at whether putting gauze (packing) into the space where an abscess was after draining it affects the need for more treatments like another drainage procedure, antibiotics, or hospital stays.

What are the potential side effects?

Potential side effects may include discomfort from packing material in the wound site, possible delayed healing or infection due to packing presence or absence. Individual reactions to wound treatment will vary.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

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I need surgery to drain an abscess on my skin.

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I speak English.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:

Select...

I have an infection in the fluid-filled sac near my joint.

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I do not speak English.

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I am going to the hospital for surgery to drain an infection.

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I cannot come back for a follow-up in 48 hours.

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I am under 18 years old.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ 14 days

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~14 days

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 14 days for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Percentage of patients needing further treatment

Secondary study objectives

Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VAS pain) post procedure

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Active Control

Placebo Group

Group I: PackingActive Control1 Intervention

The patient is to have a long piece of gauze within the abscess cavity in an attempt to keep it open and allow purulent material to continue to drain after the initial incision and release of purulent material has been performed.

Group II: No packingPlacebo Group1 Intervention

The patient is not to have packing of the abscess as part of the incision and drainage procedure

0 / 7Eligibility criteria met

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

The most common treatments for skin abscesses include incision and drainage, often followed by packing the abscess cavity. The primary mechanism of action for incision and drainage is to physically remove pus and debris, reducing infection and pressure. Packing the cavity with gauze or a silicone device helps maintain an open drainage pathway, preventing premature closure of the abscess and allowing continuous drainage of any residual infection. This is crucial for preventing recurrence and promoting proper healing. These treatments are essential for skin abscess patients as they directly address the infection source and facilitate effective healing.

Randomized Controlled Trial of a Novel Silicone Device for the Packing of Cutaneous Abscesses in the Emergency Department: A Pilot Study.Volume-controlled vs no/short-term drainage after axillary lymph node dissection in breast cancer surgery: a meta-analysis.Negative pressure wound therapy: "a rose by any other name".