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Skin Abscess Surgery

DrGanesh DP 2
Dr Ganesh Ramalingam

Specialist in General Surgery

Procedure

Skin Abscess Surgery In A Nutshell

  • Surgery for skin abscess is a minor procedure that only requires doctors to lance the boil.
  • A skin abscess is often difficult to treat using antibiotics alone.
  • If you have a skin abscess, it is important that the infection is opened and drained properly to prevent serious complications.
  • Sometimes, even when a skin abscess opens and drains spontaneously it has to be incised (cut open) by a surgeon.
  • A skin abscess surgery is a simple outpatient procedure and does not require hospitalisation. 
  • Most patients report that they feel better immediately after the abscess has been drained.
  • Downtime: No physical or strenuous activities for 1 week. You may be discharged the same day after surgery. For complex cases, you may be required to stay in the hospital for a day for medical observation.

Table of Contents

Skin Abscess (Infection) Surgery

What Is Surgery For Skin Abscess?

Surgery for skin abscess is a minor surgery to lance your skin abscess. This means that your surgeon will open and drain the pus from your abscess and relieve the pressure on your wound. Once the abscess has drained, your surgeon will insert packing into the remaining cavity to minimise bleeding. This keeps your wound open for one or two days to allow any remaining pus to drain away. This helps your wound to heal, prevents spread of infection and prevents the abscess from returning.

It can be done as a simple outpatient procedure. Many patients feel better immediately after the abscess has been drained.

What Is Saucerisation During Skin Abscess Surgery

Saucerisation refers to the surgical removal of tissue that results in a shallow depression on the skin to facilitate drainage of pus and fluid from infected areas of a wound. This procedure is usually applied during skin abscess surgeries to allow the infected region to be drained of bacteria and pus, thereby stopping the spread of the infection.

It is a recommended treatment when it comes to dealing with skin abscess as they can be persistent and cause great pain and discomfort when left on their own. 

Is It Painful To Have An Abscess Drained?

When draining the skin abscess, our doctor will apply local anaesthesia to numb the surgical site before the procedure begins. Most patients do not experience any form of pain throughout the procedure. 

However, it may be common to experience pain after the procedure as the wound is healing. In these cases, our doctor may prescribe you with painkillers to help ease the discomfort. 

You may be required to avoid movements and heavy lifting in the initial week after the procedure to prevent aggravating the wound. 

How Big Must A Skin Abscess Be Before Requiring Drainage?

In general, it is recommended that a skin abscess be drained if it exceeds 0.4cm in depth from the skin surface. With that said, seeking professional advice from a doctor on how you should manage your skin abscess would allow you to know the proper steps in preventing it from worsening. 

In some cases, patients may require drainage even if the abscess is small as it can cause pain and discomfort, affecting your daily activities.

What To Expect?

  • You may have to shave the area on your skin according to your surgeon’s directions.
  • You may be given antiseptic agents to rinse the affected area the night before your procedure.
  • Do not apply skin lotions or creams to the area surrounding your abscess.
  • The area surrounding your abscess will be numbed with local anaesthesia.
  • Your skin will be swapped gently with an antiseptic solution to cleanse it.
  • A small cut is made in your abscess to allow the pus to drain out.
  • A small sample of the pus is taken to find out which bacteria the abscess is caused by. This would allow for the right antibiotic to be prescribed to aid in your healing process.
  • Once the pus has drained out, your surgeon will clean your abscess with saline solution to ensure all the pus has been removed.
  • Your abscess will be packed with a sterile dressing for further drainage.

The procedure will last for up to 15 minutes. It may require a longer time should you be placed under general anaesthesia.

  • It may take several hours for the feeling to come back to the affected area.
  • Pain medication might be prescribed depending on the size, site and extent of your wound.
  • You may notice pus or fluid coming out of the wound.
  • The dressing may be removed within one to two days after the procedure.
  • You will be given advice about caring for your wounds to ensure the healing process goes well.
  • You may be discharged from the hospital on the day of the procedure or the following day.
  • You may be prescribed antibiotics to strengthen your immune system or control the infection.
  • Depending on its size, your abscess should heal within two weeks.
  • Your doctor will advise you when you can resume daily activities depending on the extent of surgery and site of abscess
  • Schedule a follow-up appointment with your doctor one to two weeks after the surgery.

How Long Does It Take To Recover From Skin Abscess Surgery?

Most people who undergo a skin abscess surgery will be able to return to their normal routine within 1 day after surgery. You should expect the abscess to take approximately 2-3 weeks to completely heal. 

Can A Skin Abscess Return After Surgery?

Most skin abscesses that are drained completely and treated properly after the surgery do not recur. If an abscess returns, it suggests that bacteria may still be found in the original site, leading to a recurrence of the infection.

This can occur when tending to the wound if proper care were not adhered to, such as frequent changing of dressing and keeping the wound dry.

Maintaining good personal hygiene and wound care is key to preventing a skin abscess from recurring.

Do I Need To Look For A Dermatologist To Remove An Abscess?

A professional general surgeon or dermatologist will be able to assist you in treating your skin abscess. For both practitioners, drainage of the pus in the infected region followed by a saucerisation procedure may be applied to prevent the infection from spreading further. 

These procedures are usually carried out at the clinic and they can be completed in less than an hour. You will be able to return to your activity after the procedure, although in some cases, you may be advised to avoid strenuous activities in the next few days to prevent aggravation of the wound.

How Much Does Saucerization Cost in Singapore?

The surgeon’s fee for saucerization surgery in Singapore costs between $1,600 – $3,600 (SA811S/2C), excluding hospital and consumable fees.

Final costs depend on hospital choice, complexity of surgery, and insurance coverage.