An effective method of drainage of puerperal breast abscess by percutaneous placement of suction drain

We present a new minimally invasive method of percutaneous placement of suction catheter in patients of puerperal breast abscess (PBA). 30 patients between 18 and 34 years of age were treated by this novel technique from January 1999 to January 2005 after an informed consent. Among them there were primi­ para 15, 2 para 10 and 3 para 5 lactating mothers. Clinical diagnosis of PBA was based on history and presence of tender fluctuant abscess in the breast. The treatment was carried out on presentation in the outpatient department. Under local, 0.5% lignocaine with adrenaline, infiltration anesthesia 16F suction catheter was placed percutaneously in the abscess cavity for 3-8 days. Results: The abscess healed in 5­ 8 days time. There was no complication of residual or recurrent breast abscess, fistula or sinus formation, induration or distortion of the breast parenchyma. There was no scar formation. Breast-feeding was not interrupted in any patient.