A 30-Year-Old Woman With a Lactational Breast Abscess Managed With Adjunctive Negative Pressure Wound Therapy...

BACKGROUND Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), also known as vacuum-assisted closure, is a treatment method that uses sub-atmospheric pressure applied to the wound and its surrounding tissues to support healing. NPWT is widely used across various medical fields, particularly in the management of acute and chronic wounds, where it facilitates wound contraction, reduces edema, and enhances granulation tissue formation while improving local perfusion and reducing bacterial burden within the wound bed. This report describes the case of a 30-year-old woman with a lactational breast abscess managed with adjunctive NPWT. CASE REPORT A 30-year-old lactating woman presented with pain and warmth in the right breast following a core needle biopsy. Ultrasonography revealed persistent hypoechoic fluid collection in the medial upper quadrant of the breast, while microbiological culture showed no bacterial growth. Despite initial needle aspiration and empirical antibiotic therapy with cefadroxil, symptoms persisted. The patient underwent ultrasound-guided abscess drainage, followed by the application of NPWT with continuous sub-atmospheric pressure. The treatment led to progressive regression of the abscess, as confirmed by ultrasound. A temporary milk fistula developed at the site of the dressing incision but resolved with local wound care. Throughout the treatment period, the patient continued breastfeeding and followed wound care instructions. Complete healing was achieved after a few weeks, with no signs of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS This case suggests that NPWT may be a safe and effective therapeutic option for managing lactational breast abscesses, especially in cases resistant to standard treatments. In this patient, NPWT did not interfere with ongoing lactation and breastfeeding.