Type of Surgery
Information
Last updated: 02/17/2009
BOOKS
Bland, K. I., W. G. Cioffi, and M. G. Sarr. Practice of GeneralSurgery. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2001.
Braunwald, E., Longo, D. L., and J. L. Jameson. Harrison'sPrinciples of Internal Medicine,...
15th Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2001.
Goldman, L., and J. C. Bennett. Cecil Textbook of Medicine,21st Edition. Philadelphia: Saunders, 1999.
Schwartz, S. I., J. E. Fischer, F. C. Spencer, G. T. Shires, and J. M. Daly. Principles of Surgery, 7th Edition. New York: McGraw Hill, 1998.
Townsend, C., K. L. Mattox, R. D. Beauchamp, B. M. Evers, and D. C. Sabiston. Sabiston's Review of Surgery, 3rd Edition. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2001.
PERIODICALS
Cmejrek, R. C., J. M. Coticchia, and J. E. Arnold. "Presentation, Diagnosis, and Management of Deep-neck Abscesses in Infants."Archives of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, 128(12) 2002: 1361–1364.
Douglass, A. B., and J. M. Douglass. "Common Dental Emergencies."American Family Physician, 67(3) 2003: 511–516.
Usdan, L. S., and C. Massinople. "Multiple Pyogenic Liver Abscesses Associated with Occult Appendicitis and Possible Crohn's Disease."Tennessee Medicine, 95(11) 2002: 463–464.
Wang, L. F., W. R. Kuo, C. S. Lin, K. W. Lee, and K. J. Huang. "Space Infection of the Head and Neck."Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences, 18(8) 2002: 386–392.
ORGANIZATIONS
American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. One Prince St., Alexandria, VA 22314-3357. (703) 836-4444.
American College of Surgeons. 633 North St. Clair Street, Chicago, IL 60611-32311. (312) 202-5000; Fax: (312) 202-5001. Web site:
American Medical Association. 515 N. State Street, Chicago, IL 60610. (312) 464-5000.
American Osteopathic College of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. 405 W. Grand Avenue, Dayton, OH 45405. (937) 222-8820 or (800) 455-9404; Fax (937) 222-8840. Email: info@aocoohns.org.
American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. 85 W. Algonquin Rd., Suite 550, Arlington Heights, IL 60005. (847) 290-9184; Fax: (847) 290-9203.
OTHER
American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, (April 4, 2003).
Merck Manual, (April 5, 2003).
National Library of Medicine, (April 4, 2003).
Oregon Health and Science University, (April 4, 2003).
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, (April 4, 2003).
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Other Information
Definition
An infected skin nodule that contains pus may need to be drained via a cut if it does not respond to antibiotics. This allows the pus to escape, and the infection to heal.
Purpose
An abscess is a pus-filled sore, usually caused by a bacterial infection. The pus is made up of both live and dead organisms and destroyed tissue from the white blood cells that were carried to the area to fight the infection. Abscesses are often found in the soft tissue under the skin, such as the armpit or the groin. However, they may develop in any organ, and are commonly found in the breast and gums. Abscesses are far more serious and call for more specific treatment if they are located in deep organs such as the lung, liver or brain.
Because the lining of the abscess cavity tends to interfere with the amount of the drug that can penetrate the source of infection from the blood, the cavity itself may require draining. Once an abscess has fully formed, it often does not respond to antibiotics. Even if the antibiotic does penetrate into the abscess, it doesn't function as well in that environment.
Description
A doctor will cut into the lining of the abscess, allowing the pus to escape either through a drainage tube or by leaving the cavity open to the skin. How big the incision is depends on how quickly the pus is encountered.
Once the abscess is opened, the doctor will clean and irrigate the wound thoroughly with saline. If it is not too large or deep, the doctor may simply pack the abscess wound with gauze for 24-48 hours to absorb the pus and discharge.
If it is a deeper abscess, the doctor may insert a drainage tube after cleaning out the wound. Once the tube is in place, the surgeon closes the incision with simple stitches, and applies a sterile dressing. Drainage is maintained for several days to help prevent the abscess from reforming.
Other Information
Biliary colic is the presenting symptom in 80% of patients with gallstone disease who seek medical care; however, only 10-20% of all individuals with gallstones experience severe gallstone pain.
From: eMedicine
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