Treatment of cutaneous abscesses without postoperative dressing changes.

Treating cutaneous abscesses in children traditionally involves incision and drainage followed by moist dressing changes. This article addresses whether abscesses can safely heal with incision and drainage alone and daily warm water immersion. Sixteen children with cutaneous abscesses were treated without dressing changes. All were pain free at 24 hours. There was one abscess recurrence. In comparison, among 19 children with cutaneous abscesses who received postoperative dressing changes, seven (37%) had significant pain, six (32%) required IV pain medications, and 11 (58%) were hospitalized. We determined that cutaneous abscesses may be treated with incision and drainage alone, thus avoiding pain and hospitalization for the patient.