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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT01606657

Irrigation Versus no Irrigation for Cutaneous Abscess

In this study, the investigators are trying to find out if washing out the abscess (pocket of pus) with fluid will help, instead of only taking out the pus. Your care will be the same as usual, except that you will be selected randomly to have your abscess washed out with fluid, or not.

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Key information

Conditions

Cutaneous Abscess Abscess Infections Inflammation Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Suppuration

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Community Regional Trauma and Burn Center

Fresno, California, 93721, United States

About this study

Irrigation of the abscess cavity is commonly described as part of the procedure of incision and drainage of cutaneous abscesses (1-4). Despite this, there are no randomized controlled trials that demonstrate the benefit of irrigation in treatment of these abscesses. Potential disadvantages of irrigation include increased procedural time, pain, increased cost with sterile irrigation solutions and materials to capture the irrigation effluent, and increased risk of microbiologic contamination of the surrounding area. The goal of this study is to examine patients undergoing incision and drainage of cutaneous abscesses to determine if irrigation of the abscess cavity affects the need for further interventions.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • All patients 18 years of age and above
  • Patients that require a cutaneous abscess incision and drainage

Exclusion criteria

  • Unable to return for 48-hour followup.
  • Patients being admitted to the hospital or going to the operating room for incision and drainage
  • Pregnant patients
  • Prisoners

Treatment and study plan

Irrigation

Procedure

The patient will receive irrigation as a part of their wound care

No Irrigation

Other

The patient will not receive irrigation as part of their wound care

Primary outcomes

  1. Patients needing further treatment after irrigation for I&D

    Time frame: 7 day phone follow-up

    Percentage of patients needing further treatment i. Further treatment defined as

    • Repeat I&D
    • Addition of an antibiotic (as new or to a pre-existing antibiotic)
    • Admission to hospital for cutaneous abscess-related problem
    • Abscess
    • Cellulitis
    • Septic arthritis
    • Sepsis

Secondary outcomes

  1. VAS is correlated with decreased pain after I&D

    Time frame: two years

    • VAS post procedure pain score

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of California, San Francisco

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Is Routine Irrigation of Cutaneous Abscesses Necessary?

Important dates

Study start
2010
Primary completion
2014
Study completion
2015
First posted
May 28, 2012
Registry last updated
May 3, 2017

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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