Needle aspiration of lateral neck abscess in children: A simple and effective treatment

Abstract

BackgroundCervical abscesses frequently occurred in pediatric patients. Surgical drainage is currently recommended in the cases not responding to medical therapy. Needle aspiration may represent a simple, effective and minimally invasive treatment for acute neck suppuration in selected cases. ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of needle aspiration in the treatment of cervical abscesses in pediatric age as an alternative to surgical drainage. MethodsFrom November 2013 to November 2019, at the ENT Department of the “Bambino Gesù" Pediatric Hospital, Rome, we treated 47 children with cervical abscess by performing aspiration with a 19 G needle in wakefulness after applying local anesthetic. Parenteral antibiotic treatment was associated with all patients both before and after treatment. ResultsComplete regression of the abscess occurred in 46 children with no evidence of recurrence in the follow-up period. Surgical drainage was required in only one patient due to the lack of resolution of the abscess episode. No complications such as hematomas or hypertrophic scars were found in any patient. ConclusionsOur results confirm the effectiveness of needle aspiration in the treatment of cervical abscesses in children as an alternative to surgical drainage.