Pediatricians: Skin Abscesses Need Prompt Incision and Drainage

Half of surveyed general pediatricians expressed interest in educational sessions on I & D.

Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) commonly cause abscesses and other skin infections. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on clinical care emphasize incision and drainage (I & D) of abscesses along with antibiotic therapy for effective treatment. Pediatricians are adept at diagnosing abscesses, but little is known about their comfort in performing I & D in the office. Investigators mailed a survey to 385 general pediatricians across the U.S. to study attitudes about performing I & D on skin abscesses.

The response rate was 49%. Of the respondents, 72% were aware of the CDC recommendations for soft tissue infections. Nearly all respondents indicated that they would initially prescribe an antibiotic that…

Reviewing Author

Mary Wu Chang, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Pierre Fabre; Valeant

Speaker’s bureauPierre Fabre

Mary Wu Chang, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Pierre Fabre; Valeant

Speaker’s bureauPierre Fabre

Pediatricians: Skin Abscesses Need Prompt Incision and Drainage

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Reviewing Author