How Does A Doctor Drain An Abscess?

An abscess is an infected area with pus which may cause swelling and destroy tissues.  If the abscess does not clear up with the antibiotics, the doctor may need to drain it.

The doctor uses a needle and a small tube which is called a catheter. He inserts the needle through the skin and drains the fluid through the catheter. The procedure is called percutaneous catheter drainage. Sometimes surgery is also needed to clean the abscess.