Comparison of Multiple Percutaneous Needle Aspiration Versus Incision and Drainage in Small Breast Abscesses: Pain, Cosmesis, and Early Breastfeeding Outcomes

Comparison of Pain, Cosmesis and Early Restoration of Breast Feeding in Multiple Percutaneous Needle Aspiration Vs Incision and Drainage for Small Breast Abscess Management

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT06951373

Enrollment

110

Registered

2025-04-30

Start date

2021-01-09

Completion date

2021-06-08

Last updated

2025-04-30

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Breast Abscess

Brief summary

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of multiple percutaneous needle aspiration (MPNA) versus incision and drainage (ID) for the management of small breast abscesses in breastfeeding women. The trial evaluates three key outcomes: post-procedure pain levels, cosmetic satisfaction, and the timing of breastfeeding restoration. The study is conducted at the Department of Surgery, Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur, enrolling 110 lactating women aged 18-45 years with abscesses ≤5 cm in diameter. Participants were treated with either MPNA or ID based on clinical decision and patient preference. Pain levels were assessed using a standardized scale, cosmetic outcomes were evaluated via patient-reported satisfaction, and breastfeeding restoration was monitored at baseline, one week, and one month post-treatment. Findings indicate that MPNA is associated with lower pain scores, better cosmetic satisfaction, and faster resumption of breastfeeding compared to ID, suggesting MPNA as a preferred first-line treatment for small breast abscesses.

Interventions

PROCEDUREMultiple Percutaneous Needle Aspiration (MPNA)

A minimally invasive technique involving repeated needle aspiration of breast abscess fluid without making an incision.

PROCEDUREIncision and Drainage (ID)

A surgical procedure involving an incision in the abscess to allow drainage of pus, followed by wound care.

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

FEMALE

Age

18 Years to 45 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* Married breastfeeding women Age: 18-45 years Diagnosed with breast abscess (≤5 cm in diameter)

Exclusion criteria

* Complicated abscesses Compromised immune system History of prior surgical interventions for breast abscess Unwilling to participate in the study

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Pain Score	1 week post-procedure	Assessment of pain using a standardized visual analog scale (VAS) at 1 week after the procedure.
Breastfeeding Restoration	1 month post-procedure	Proportion of patients resuming breastfeeding at 1 month after intervention, determined by patient self-report.

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Cosmetic Satisfaction	1 month post-procedure	Patient-reported satisfaction with cosmetic outcomes, assessed through a survey at 1 month after intervention.

Countries

Pakistan

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026