Comparison of Aspiration Versus Incision and Drainage in the Treatment of Breast Abscess, in terms of Recurrence: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: To assess and compare the treatment outcomes of breast abscess using two different methods aspiration versus incision and drainage. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at Combined Military Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, from October 2022 to March 2023. Females aged 18 to 50 years with ultrasound-diagnosed acute breast abscesses up to 5 cm, presenting with signs and symptoms such as breast pain, localized swelling, erythema, tenderness, and fever, were included. Patients were randomly assigned to receive needle aspiration or incision and drainage. Outcomes were assessed based on recurrence and scarring. Recurrence was defined as the reappearance of similar signs and symptoms after complete resolution. Patients were monitored for one-month post-treatment. Results: Of total 124 patients, the mean age was 38.10 ±5.21 years. The mean duration of procedure was 26.33 ±10.58 minutes. A significantly longer mean duration of the procedure was observed in the aspiration group as compared to the incision and drainage group i.e., 36.61 ± 2.82 minutes vs. 16.04 ± 1.67 minutes (p-value <0.001). A significant association found between the two groups in terms of parity (p-value <0.001) and site of abscess (p-value 0.001). Treatment outcome showed higher rate of recurrence and scarring in the aspiration group compared to the incision and drainage group i.e., 8 (66.7%) vs. 4 (33.3%) and 5 (100.0%) vs. 0 (0.0%). However, a significant association of scar (p-value 0.022) was observed between groups. Conclusion: Incision and drainage proved more effective than aspiration for treating breast abscesses, with lower rates of recurrence and scarring.