Lactational Breast Mastitis/Abscess Treatment

The breast lobules drain into the lactiferous ducts. These ducts form lactiferous sinuses. They work as the reservoirs for milk during lactation. The lining of the lactiferous ducts undergoes epidermalization, and keratin production may obstruct these ducts and form breast abscess at this time. Therefore, breast abscesses usually form in breastfeeding women.

Non-lactating women may even develop breast abscesses due to new-onset diabetes, mycobacterium infection or inflammatory breast cancer. Therefore, a secondary health condition is responsible for the development of breast abscesses in non-lactating women in most scenarios.

At Cutis, skilled cosmetic surgeons determine the method of treatment after examining the size of a breast abscess along with other factors.

• Needle aspiration is considered to be the standard method of treatment in order to drain the pus or fluid of the puerperal abscesses or abscesses smaller than 5 cm. 
• An ultrasound-guided needle aspiration is performed to drain an abscess smaller than 3 cm. This increases the chance of success, as these tiny abscesses are hard to drain.
• The breast abscess surgery is performed on infected or obstructed lactiferous ducts. This procedure is known as incision and drainage. It is more invasive than the needle aspiration. However, the chance of recurrence is low with this method of treatment. Skilled cosmetic surgeons at Cutis ensure nominal scarring after the incision and drainage.

If there is a large cavity following the procedure, then it is filled with gauze to promote further drainage. It prevents the incision from healing before complete drainage.

Yes, breast abscesses may recur after the treatment. The non-puerperal abscesses have a higher rate of recurrence and a patient may need to undergo the incision and drainage procedure multiple times.

At Cutis, expert surgeons may perform I&D (Incision and Drainage) in order to treat the recurring abscesses. A detailed medical examination of the abscesses is performed to rule out any underlying health conditions.

The Incision and Drainage (I&D) procedure may be performed under either general or local anesthesia. A surgeon will determine what type of anesthesia will be used during a procedure after examining and consulting with a patient.

During the procedure,

• A small incision is made into the breast abscess.
• A surgeon will break the pocket of pus and will wash it using saline water.
• A gauze is put into the incision to collect the pus
• A small drain may be left into the incision. This is removed when the abscess stops draining.

Instead of using a drain, a gauze packing may be used to collect the fluid. This packing collects the fluid.

• A sample of tissue or pus is collected and sent to laboratory for tests if deemed necessary.
• The incision is left open to heal from the inside.
• A bandage is put over the incision after removing the drain or gauze packing. It keeps the area clean and dry.

It is not possible to breastfeed after draining an abscess. However, you have to pump the breasts frequently in order to release the milk; otherwise, the breast may feel full and painful. You are likely to experience no complication after the incision and drainage or needle aspiration, as these procedures are performed under the supervision of skilled surgeons at Cutis.

However, the following complications may occur if expert surgeons do not perform these procedures:.

• Excessive bleeding
• Infection
• Scarring
• Fistula at the site of I&D