ABSCESS Flashcards
what is an abscess
collection of pus -
what is an abscess a result of
complication of acute inflammation
what is the pathology of abscess formation
living or dead neutrophils cell/tissue debris
bacteria (if infection)
usually due to pyogenic bacteria
which bacteria are likely to cause an abscess
staphylococcus, streptococcus
what can’t you treat an abscess with and why not
antibiotics - because they are dead
what is the risk of not treating an abscess
causes sepsis
what is an empyema
collection of pus in the chest wall
how do you treat an abscess
to remove all infected tissue and encourage healing
must be drained out
incision qnd drainage - use general anaesthetic
why do local anaesthetics not work for abscess treatment
because they are acidic
what are the 3 steps in the healing of an abscess
organisation - granulation tissue forms, scar formation, prevents infection but stops regeneration of tissue
