Incision and Drainage
Aftercare
- Advise the patient to keep the site clean and dry – cover with dry gauze until fully healed
- If no packing in place, soak the wound in warm soapy water several times per day and then cover with dry gauze
- Instruct patient to monitor for signs and symptoms of infection:
- recollection of pus in abscess
- fever and chills
- increased pain and redness
- red streaks near the abscess
- increased swelling
Follow-up
Schedule patient to return in 24-48 hours post procedure. If packing was used the packing needs to be changed daily until purulent drainage has stopped and granulation tissue is present. Once packing is no longer needed, instruct the patient to do warm wet soaks several times per day until healing is completed.
