The treatment of acute superficial abscesses: a prospective clinical trial

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Macfie J. Harvey J. x British Journal of Surgery. [JC:b34] 64(4):264-6, 1977 Apr. x A total of 219 acute superficial abscesses was treated. Patients were x randomly allocated to one of four treatment groups--primary suture with or x without antibiotics and free drainage with or without antibiotics. No x difference could be detected between the groups in duration of healing x time. Eleven per cent of all abscesses sutured recurred and antibiotics x did not affect this rate. It is suggested that free drainage following x incision and drainage is the safest treatment for the majority of x abscesses. Antibiotics do not have any significant effect on healing time x or recurrence and their routine use is not recommended. x