Background: Breast abscess is common in puerperal period secondary to mastitis with incidence of  4.8%–11%. The conventional method of incision and drainage of breast abscess has undergone a gradual change from invasive to minimally invasive method of percutaneous placement of suction drain. We present 50 cases of puerperal breast abscess treated by I and D and percutaneous placement of suction drain alternatively.

Aims & Objectives: To compare management of breast abscess by incision and drainage v/s percutaneous suction drainage with reference to –1. Post operative pain 2. Residual abscess 3. Duration of hospital stay 4. Time required for complete healing 5. Appearance of scar

Material and Methods: 50 patients admitted to Chigateri General Hospital and Bapuji hospital attached to J.J.M. Medical College, Davangere with primary diagnosis of puerperal breast abscess were taken for this prospective study from June 2011 to May 2013 (2 years). 25 patients underwent I & D and 25 patients underwent percutaneous placement of suction drain.                                                                                                                   

Results: Minimal post operative pain was observed in all the patients of percutaneous drain placement( VAS G1 and G2) compared to I and D group(G4 and G5). Residual abscess was found in one case in I and D group and two cases in PDP group which were treated by incision and drainage. Mean duration of hospital stay in I and D group was 4–6 days and in PDP group was. Mean duration of  complete healing in I and D group was 10–12 days and in PDP was weeks. Patients who underwent PDP had a minimal scar at entry and exit wounds, where as the patients who underwent conventional method had a large ugly scar.

Conclusion: Percutaneous placement of suction drain in puerperal breast abscess is less invasive(less pain), has faster resolving rate, heals with minimal scarring and has low complication rate as compared to the conventional method.