From the Research
Size Criteria for Draining a Scrotal Abscess
- The optimal size criteria for draining a scrotal abscess are not explicitly stated in the provided studies, but some studies provide information on abscess size and treatment outcomes 1, 2.
- A study published in 2020 found that abscesses greater than 1.3 cm in longest dimension and 0.4 cm in depth from the skin surface may require a drainage procedure, while those less than 0.4 cm in depth may not require drainage and can be safely treated with antibiotics alone 1.
- Another study published in 1985 found that there was no correlation between size, depth, drainage route, or etiology of the abscess with either cure or complications, and recommended a trial of percutaneous drainage in all simple abscesses and most complex abscesses with clinical response as the key determinant of the need for operative intervention 2.
- Other studies provide case reports of scrotal abscesses that were treated with drainage and antibiotics, but do not provide specific size criteria for drainage 3, 4, 5.