Your Child’s Soft Tissue Abscess

What is it?

A soft tissue abscess means there is a pocket of infection just below the skin. We will treat this with antibiotics and with an incision and draining. The surgeon will make an incision, remove the infection, and clean the wound. The incision is left open to heal. 

The surgeon will loop a string through the incision. This is called a vessel loop drain. It will stay in place 5-7 days.

What should I expect after surgery?

• Your child can do normal activities.
• If your child is 6 months or older, you may give Children’s Tylenol or Children’s Motrin for pain. Do not use Aspirin.
• Give your child a warm soapy tub bath at least 3-4 times a day. You may submerge the incision.
• Floss the vessel loop drain. Move the loop back and forth a few times after each bath. This will help the abscess drain.
• Bloody drainage from the incision is normal. Place a dry dressing after the bath. If the incision is in the diaper area, you may use a dry diaper as a dressing.
• Do not use antibiotic ointment on the open incision.
• Use fresh towels with each bath until the area is fully healed. Place clean sheets on your child’s bed every day until the area is fully healed. 

When do I follow up with the doctor?

Return to the Pediatric Surgery Clinic to see the doctor. We will give you an appointment time when your child goes home from surgery.

When should I call the doctor?

Call the doctor if your child has any of these:

• Pain, swelling, or redness near the incision gets worse

• A fever over 101° for 6 to 12 hours that does not go down after a dose of Tylenol

Weekdays, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., call the Pediatric Surgery Clinic at (859) 323-5625. After hours, call UK Hospital at (859) 323-5321 and ask for the Pediatric Surgery Resident on call.