Case study: abscess of the labia

A 68 year old female with no history of perianal abscess was examined in the Emergency Department of the hospital verbalizing complaints of swelling and tenderness in the left inguinal area. Physical examination revealed redness and swelling of the left labial area. The patient was admitted to the hospital and, following surgical incision and drainage by the physician, wound exploration revealed tunneling extending into the perirectal and vaginal areas. ET Nurse consultation was requested to establish a wound treatment regimen. The system of dressing used were a sterile, rayon/polyester dressing impregnated with 15 percent crystalline sodium chloride to cleanse the wound of slough and debris, in a ribbon form to facilitate packing of tunneling; a sterile 0.9 percent sodium chloride solution in gel form to protect the wound bed and keep it moist during granulation and reepithelialization; and an absorbent pad to collect drainage. This system of dressings addressed the patient's specific needs, was easy to use and proved easy to teach to a family member managing the patient's wound care at home. During the 10 1/2 weeks of treatment, wound healing progressed steadily, odor diminished rapidly and granulation of the wound bed progressed to healing with no maceration of the surrounding skin.