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

Background: Cervical 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. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of needle aspiration in the treatment of cervical abscesses in pediatric age as an alternative to surgical drainage. Methods: From November 2013 to November 2019, at the ENT Department of the "Bambino Gesu" 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. Results: Complete regression of the abscess occurred in 46 children with no evidence of recurrence in the followup 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. Conclusions: Our results confirm the effectiveness of needle aspiration in the treatment of cervical abscesses in children as an alternative to surgical drainage.