Incision and drainage of abscess, hematoma, and furuncle of the nose

What pathologies do we treat?

Surgical incision and drainage is the only correct method of treatment for the following conditions:

• Hematoma and abscess of the nasal septum: Most often occurs after nasal trauma. Blood accumulates under the mucous membrane of the septum (hematoma), which, without timely removal, quickly becomes infected and turns into an abscess. This is accompanied by sharp pain, inability to breathe through the nose, and high fever.
• Nasal furuncle: Acute purulent inflammation of the hair follicle and sebaceous gland (most often on the tip or wings of the nose, less often inside the nostril). Accompanied by severe throbbing pain, swelling, and redness.
• Nasal carbuncle: A more severe condition when several adjacent hair follicles become inflamed at once. A large, extremely painful purulent focus with several “cores” forms, causing severe intoxication of the body.

How is the procedure performed at St. Luke’s Clinic?

Incision and drainage of abscesses or hematomas is a short outpatient manipulation performed in sterile conditions in the ENT office.

1. Anesthesia: The doctor uses effective local anesthesia (injection of a modern anesthetic or topical anesthesia). The patient does not feel acute pain during the manipulation.
2. Incision: A neat miniature incision is made with a scalpel over the focus of inflammation (or hematoma).
3. Cleaning: The cavity is thoroughly cleaned of pus, necrotic (dead) tissues, or blood clots. The focus is generously washed with solutions of potent antiseptics.
4. Drainage: To prevent the wound from closing prematurely and to allow residual pus to freely exit, the doctor installs a small drain (a rubber strip or a turunda soaked in a hypertonic solution).
5. Dressing: A sterile dressing is applied.

Immediately after incision and pus discharge, the patient feels significant relief: throbbing pain disappears, swelling begins to subside, and temperature decreases.