Same-day discharge after incision and drainage of soft-tissue abscess in diaper-age children is safe and effective.

Purpose: Many pediatric centers admit patients following incision and drainage (I&D) of soft-tissue abscesses. The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of the same-day discharge following I&D.

Methods: Retrospective review was performed of children aged 3 months-4 years who underwent operative I&D of an abscess followed by same-day discharge. Patients receiving antibiotics within 2 weeks of presentation were excluded. Treatment failure was defined as readmission or repeat procedure related to the initial abscess. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon Rank-Sum and Fisher's Exact tests.

Results: There were 442 procedures performed in 408 patients. Mean age was 1.8 years. Fever was noted in 25.8%. Of those who had a white blood cell (WBC) count drawn, 59.7% had leukocytosis. Mean time from procedure to discharge was 2.3 h, and 85.0% were discharged with oral antibiotics. Treatment failure occurred in four (0.9%) and ten (2.3%) patients at 14 and 30 days, respectively. Mean WBC count was higher in the 14-day treatment failure group (24.1 versus 16.3; p = 0.10). In patients with leukocytosis, there were 2 (1.4%) treatment failures compared to none in those without leukocytosis.

Conclusion: Same-day discharge after I&D of abscess in diaper-age children is safe and effective.