Surgical management of recurrent subareolar breast abscesses: Mayo Clinic experience.
BACKGROUND
Recurrent subareolar abscess is an uncommon condition of the breast. The disease process often is managed inadequately by repeated courses of antibiotics and/or incision and drainage procedures that temporarily may relieve the abscess collection but fails to correct the primary inciting process. Repeated surgical procedures may lead to multiple scars, nipple and breast distortion without cure of the problem, or even to mastectomy.


METHODS
We report a retrospective review of patients who have been treated surgically with this condition at a single institution from 1993 to 2005.


RESULTS
Successful definitive treatment of retroareolar abscesses necessitates excision of the central nipple, including the obstructed ducts.


CONCLUSIONS
This technique achieves a cure rate of 91% and an overall 95% satisfaction rate in the cosmetic outcome of the nipple.
Li
Sean
S
Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. SW, E12 Mayo Bldg., Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Grant
Clive S
CS
Degnim
Amy
A
Donohue
John
J
D000038:Abscess / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome