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Drainage

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Seek expert advice.

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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