Lactational breast abscesses: Do we still need surgery?

Objective: To show the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided puncture in the treatment of lactational breast abscess and identify its risk factors.

Methods: Retrospective descriptive study at the CHU of Lyon-Sud from December 2007 to December 2013, including patients with lactational breast abscess confirmed on ultrasound and treated with antibiotics and analgesics. Realisation of ultrasound-guided needle under local anesthesia by the radiologist and washing the cavity with physiological serum.

Results: Forty patients had lactational abscesses at an average of 10 weeks post-partum. Thirty-four patients were treated by needle aspiration, of which 2 had first surgical drainage. The average size of the abscess was 41.2mm. The success rate of needle aspiration was 91.2%. No cases of recurrence were observed, however, there were 5 fistulisations. In all, 91.2% were treated on an outpatient basis. In 87.8% of cases, breastfeeding was continued on the healthy side and in 48.5% of cases on the affected side. The major risk factor for abscess was mastitis in 91.1% of cases.

Conclusions: Ultrasound guidance of needle aspiration should be gold standard for the treatment of lactational breast abscesses to continue breastfeeding including the affected side.