Periareolar abscess in the nonlactating breast

Area of Science:

• General Surgery
• Breast Surgery
• Infectious Disease

Background:

• Periareolar abscesses in nonlactating women often involve a sinus tract communicating with the nipple.
• This sinus tract is a common source of recurrent infections if not adequately treated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of sinus tract excision in treating periareolar abscesses in nonlactating women.
• To determine if concurrent correction of inverted nipples improves outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 32 patients with periareolar abscesses treated between 1970 and 1980.
• Analysis of follow-up data for 21 patients, including recurrence rates and patient satisfaction.

Main Results:

• Nineteen of 21 patients experienced no recurrence after treatment involving sinus tract excision.
• Two patients required secondary procedures for complete resolution.
• Only one patient reported dissatisfaction with the surgical outcome; no mastectomies were necessary.

Conclusions:

• Excision of the sinus tract, with concurrent correction of inverted nipples when present, is crucial for preventing reinfection.
• Simple incision and drainage or abscess excision alone are generally inadequate for treating these conditions.
• This surgical approach leads to high rates of cure and patient satisfaction.