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Drainage

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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If there are sign of deep pus or the systemic sign do not improve within 36 hours then the abscess should be drained. Smaller amounts of pus should be drained via a needle, under ultrasound guidance and under anaesthetic.

  • if peripheral joints cannot be drained with closed needle aspiration, arthroscopy or open drainage may be necessary
    • infected knees, for example, may accumulate synovial fluid for 7-10 days (1)
      • synovial fluid analysis should demonstrate that the fluid has become sterile and the total white count should be decreasing
      • wound is closed without a drain.
      • about one third of patients will need surgical drainage of pus

Reference:

  • (1) Axford JS. Joint and bone infections Medicine 2006;34 (10):405-412.

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