Approach
• ↓ activity of infiltrated local anesthetic agents b/c of the low pH of abscess area; consider regional nerve or field blocks + IV procedural sedation/analgesia
• Gram stain & wound cx rarely necessary for skin or perirectal abscesses
• Cx from intra-abdominal, spinal, or epidural abscesses usually sent from OR to guide therapy
• Pharyngeal abscess cx can also help tailor antibiotic therapy
• In diabetic, immunocompromised, w/ systemic sxs, septic, obtain labs & blood cultures, start IVF & abx & admit for IV abx