I am seeing a woman who has recently had a breast abcess.  It was open and
drained by the surgeon.  There are now two incisions on the breast each
about 2 cm long, 1/2cm wide and 7-8 cm deep.  I am cleaning them with
normal saline, packing each with idophor gauze (1/2" strips) and covering
with a dry sterile dressing.  There is small to serous moderate drainage
from each.  This is being done twice a day and is very painful for the Mom
despite her medicating herself with Tylenol with Codeine prior to the
dressing change.  She says the iodophor gauze stings and that causes her
the most pain.
I want to know if this is the most current way of handling a breast abcess
wound or would it be better to use a hydrogel or calcium alginate covered
with a transparent dressing.  I know these dressings can be left up to 3
days depending upon the type of drainage.  This would made a considerable
difference in reducing her pain.
Has anyone used either of these methods or are you aware of any papers
which discuss this type of wound and using any of the above methods?
Could greatly appreciate your help.
Kathleen Buckley, RN, IBCLC

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