Surgery
Abscess Drainage
Abscess drainage releases pus from a painful, swollen infected pocket in the skin or body to help it heal.
Quick answer
Abscess Drainage: what it is, why it's done and what happens
Incision and drainage opens an abscess — a collection of pus caused by infection — to let the pus out, relieving pain and pressure and allowing the area to heal. Antibiotics alone usually cannot clear a large abscess.
- Why it is done: It is used for abscesses that are painful, swollen and not settling, such as skin abscesses, boils, dental or internal collections, because draining the pus is usually needed for them to heal.
- What happens: For skin abscesses, under local or general anaesthetic, the surgeon makes a small cut to release the pus, cleans the cavity and often packs it with dressing.
What it is
Incision and drainage opens an abscess — a collection of pus caused by infection — to let the pus out, relieving pain and pressure and allowing the area to heal. Antibiotics alone usually cannot clear a large abscess.
Why it is done
It is used for abscesses that are painful, swollen and not settling, such as skin abscesses, boils, dental or internal collections, because draining the pus is usually needed for them to heal.
What happens
For skin abscesses, under local or general anaesthetic, the surgeon makes a small cut to release the pus, cleans the cavity and often packs it with dressing. Deeper abscesses may be drained using image guidance.
Recovery
The wound is often left open to heal from the inside, with dressing changes over days to weeks. Pain usually eases quickly once the pus is released. Antibiotics may be given if infection is spreading.
Good to know
Risks and things to consider
Risks include bleeding, further infection, scarring and the abscess reforming. Some abscesses point to an underlying problem (such as a fistula) that also needs treating.
Education and reference only. This explains the procedure in general terms and is not medical advice. Your own care, risks and recovery will be explained by the team looking after you.
Answers
Abscess Drainage: frequently asked questions
Why can’t antibiotics alone cure an abscess?
Antibiotics often cannot penetrate a walled-off pocket of pus well, so draining it is usually necessary. Antibiotics may still be used alongside drainage if the surrounding infection is spreading.
Why is the wound left open?
Leaving the cavity open and packing it allows it to heal gradually from the base and prevents pus building up again, which is why regular dressing changes are needed for a while.
Related
Other surgery
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NHS — Tests and treatments
- NICE — procedure and treatment guidance
- Relevant Royal College / professional body
Building patient-education content for procedures?
We create clear, accurate, referenced medical explainers and decision aids for teams and learners.