Ultrasound guided aspiration of breast abscess as an alternative to surgical incision and drainage

Objective: To evaluate the outcome and assess the success rate of ultrasound guided aspiration of breast abscess as an alternative to surgical incision and drainage.& para;& para;Methodology: A prospective descriptive study was carried out at Department of Surgery, Chandka Medical College Hospital, Larkana, Pakistan, from January 2015 to December 2015. A total of 111 patients of breast abscess who underwent ultrasound guided aspiration without anesthesias with oral antibiotic cover were studied. Females with breast abscess within seven days, and the abscess size was <3cm were included in the study. Males, antibioma and inflammatory carcinoma were excluded from the study. Outcome of success or failure was observed within two weeks and recorded.& para;& para;Results: Out of 111 patients, 68.46% were lactating and 31.53% were non-lactating women, with ages ranging from 18 to 60 years (mean 36.5 years). The successful rate with complete resolution after ultrasound guided aspiration was observed in 94.5%. 80.82% responded after single aspiration, 12.38% after two times aspiration, and 6.66% after multiple aspirations, while 5.4% of patients required incision and drainage.& para;& para;Conclusion: Ultrasound guided aspiration of breast abscess is an effective treatment option with a diameter of <3cm, which can be recommended as a routine outpatient procedure.