An ‘abscess’ refers to a localized infection, which results in pus formation around the inflamed tissue. Abscesses usually have no symptoms or causes, they just happen for reasons partially unknown. These pus-filled sacs can form anywhere on the body, and even inside the body too. The abscess may be found on the subcutaneous superficial skin, or even in internal organs and the body cavity deep under the skin. Abscesses formed on the glutes, or the buttocks, are called Gluteal Abscesses.
While a gluteal abscess in itself may not be painful, its formation can cause a large amount of discomfort in the patient. The patient finds it difficult to sit, stand or even lie down after it forms. There are many ways to treat gluteal abscesses, but the best, most common method is gluteal abscess drainage surgery in India.
The pus forms in the abscess cavity mainly due to the death of the surrounding tissue. The inflammation, along with the death of tissue and cells, results in a sac-like cavity which can cause a lot of discomfort. Gluteal abscess drainage treatment in India mainly consists of surgery, since the abscess cannot be treated using antibiotics. This is because the cavity is avascular, which means that it has no blood supply. Therefore, antibiotics do not reach the inflamed tissue, so the only method is the drainage of the pus. If the abscess is left untreated for longer periods, it can result in the infection spreading to the deeper layers of skin, and the chances of it becoming a life-threatening condition increase.
Gluteal abscess drainage surgery is most commonly carried out under local anesthesia, since it is not a greatly invasive procedure. The anesthetic is injected into the tissue surrounding the cavity, since injection into the cavity may result in incomplete anesthesia. General anesthesia is done only at times when it is required if the pain is too much for the patient or when it has to be drained under complete sedation.
During the process, a large incision is made across the cavity, in order to let the pus drain. The incision is opened as widely as possible, so as to allow complete removal of the necrosis and pus from the cavity. The wound is not immediately closed, since closing it may result in the return of the infection. Rather, the wound is packed with gauze and antibiotics, and the packing is removed and changed frequently. This results in comparatively quicker healing of the inflamed tissue. Since the cavity has no blood supply, the scope for complications during the process is minimal.
After the process, the patient is usually discharged from the hospital on the same day. He/she is kept under observation only if there are any complications, like excessive bleeding. The dressing around the site of infection usually needs to be changed twice a day to dry dressings. This is important to prevent the return of the infection. Since this is not a particularly painful process, painkillers are also not usually required. The patient needs to revisit the doctor for one or two weeks post-procedure, and thereafter until the incision seals completely.
PSTakeCare helps you compare hospitals in India, and even the qualifications of the doctors who perform the surgery. You also have the option to book doctor appointment online, through the website.