Incision, drainage for soft tissue infections

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SAMPLE EXCERPT

- Full procedure text, video and illustrations available with the full product

INDICATIONS

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Facial furuncles located within the triangle formed by the bridge of the nose and the corners of the mouth

EQUIPMENT

Local anesthetic (1% to 2% lidocaine) with sodium bicarbonate 7.5%, or diphenhydramine 50 mg/mL
Syringe with 25- to 30-gauge needle
Possibly a cryosurgery unit or ethyl chloride for anesthesia
Alcohol or povidone-iodine wipe
4 × 4-inch gauze
No. 11 blade
Curved hemostats
Sterile cotton-tipped swabs (optional, to explore the abscess cavity)
Possibly iodoform packing gauze
Possibly culture materials
Bandage scissors
Dressing of choice
Sterile dermatology curette (if needed)

ANATOMY

Immediately adjacent to the epithelium, the dermis is less dense and contains terminal capillaries and nerve endings.
The next layer down is the papillary layer.
The reticular layer is the innermost and contains hair follicles, sweat glands, and sebaceous glands.

Sample excerpt does not include step-by-step text instructions for performing this procedure

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CARE

Teach the patient or family member how to change the packing and replace the dressing.
Patients should be instructed to watch for recurrence or evidence of further infection.
Generally, bathing and frequent changes of the overlying dressing are encouraged.
Acetaminophen or NSAIDs may be needed for pain.

COMPLICATIONS