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Breast abscesses in lactating women
1Department of Surgery, Fatih University School of Medicine, 19 Sokak, No. 25/9, 06490 Bahcelievler, Ankara, Turkey. cdener@fatihmed.edu.tr
World Journal of Surgery
|March 5, 2003
Summary
Early antibiotic therapy for mastitis prevents breast abscesses. Delayed treatment increases abscess risk, but ultrasound aids detection and needle aspiration offers good cosmetic outcomes for selected cases.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Puerperal breast infections, including mastitis and breast abscess, affect nursing women.
- Prompt diagnosis and effective treatment are crucial to prevent complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors contributing to puerperal breast abscess.
- To evaluate treatment outcomes for mastitis and breast abscess.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 128 nursing women with breast infections over 4 years.
- Data collection included patient demographics, infection characteristics, treatment, and outcomes.
- Ultrasonography used for all cases; milk cultures performed.
Main Results:
- Mastitis occurred in 80% and breast abscess in 20% of patients.
- Delayed symptom duration was the sole independent predictor of abscess development.
- Antibiotic treatment for mastitis prevented abscess formation; aspiration and incision/drainage showed similar healing times for abscesses.
Conclusions:
- Early antibiotic treatment of mastitis is key to preventing breast abscess.
- Ultrasonography is valuable for abscess detection.
- Needle aspiration is a viable treatment option for selected breast abscesses with favorable cosmetic results.