Pearls: Abscess Drainage.

A punch biopsy device can be used to drain an abscess on a part of the body which may have a tendency to close prematurely, instead of using a scalpel blade.  The resulting round hole will most likely stay open until it heals by secondary intention.  This will also allow access to the abscess cavity with a small hemostat to allow break up any loculations.  The scar may be somewhat more prominent after final healing than a stab incision, and so consideration for cosmesis should be used when considering this technique.