Aquacel Versus Iodoform Gauze for Filling Abscess Cavity Following Incision and Drainage

• Change in Patient Rating of Pain [ Time Frame: Baseline and 2 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Change in mean pain score based on patient self-report, using Wong-Baker FACES pain rating scale. Scale ranges from 0 to 5, where 5 means the worst pain possible and 0 means no pain at all.
• Number of Participants Who Experienced a 30% or Greater Reduction in Surface Area of Cellulitis. [ Time Frame: 2 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Participants were assessed to see whether or not the surface area of the cellulitis was reduced by at least 30% and the number of such participants was reported.

• Patient rating of pain [ Time Frame: 2 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Surface area of cellulitis [ Time Frame: 2 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

This study compares Aquacel against routine Iodoform packing for packing abscess cavities after incision and drainage. It is hypothesized that Aquacel will produce speedier healing of the abscess.

The large increase in the incidence of skin and soft tissue infections cause by methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has produced a corresponding increase in the number of ED patients presenting with abscesses that require incision and drainage. This study compares Aquacel against routine Iodoform packing for packing abscess cavities after incision and drainage. It is hypothesized that Aquacel will produce speedier healing of the abscess. More effective abscess healing will reduce the need for oral antibiotic coverage, which will in turn reduce the potential for drug resistance caused by indiscriminate use of oral antibiotics.

• Abscess
• Cellulitis

• Device: Type of dressing - Iodoform
  Dressing for packing a cutaneous abscess
  Other Name: Iodoform
• Device: Type of dressing - Aquacel
  Aquacel dressing
  Other Name: Aquacel

• Active Comparator: Iodoform dressing
  Iodoform dressing for cutaneous abscess
  Intervention: Device: Type of dressing - Iodoform
• Active Comparator: Aquacel dressing
  Aquacel dressing for cutaneous abscess
  Intervention: Device: Type of dressing - Aquacel

Inclusion Criteria:

• presenting to Maricopa Medical Center ED with cutaneous abscess requiring incision and drainage

Exclusion Criteria:

• known sensitivity to Aquacel
• pregnant, nursing, or expecting to become pregnant
• incarcerated patient
• prior treatment of same abscess with incision and drainage
• multiple abscesses
• immunodeficiency
• facial abscess
• suspected osteomyelitis or septic arthritis
• diabetic foot, decubitis, or ischaemic ulcers
• unable to provide informed consent or assent