Comparison of the Efficacy of Ultrasound-Guided Catheter Drainage Combined with Prednisone and Traditional Incision and Drainage Techniques in the Treatment of Abscess-Type Non-Lactational Mastitis

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to compare the efficacy of ultrasound-guided catheter drainage combined with prednisone versus traditional incision and drainage in the treatment of abscess-type non-lactational mastitis. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 215 patients with abscess-type non-lactational mastitis treated at our hospital from January 2021 to December 2024. Patients were divided into two groups based on the surgical approach. The control group (n = 107) received traditional incision and drainage, while the study group (n = 108) underwent ultrasound-guided catheter drainage combined with prednisone. Hospitalization duration and operation time were compared between the two groups. Changes in inflammatory markers and pain scores, as well as breast aesthetic outcomes, were also evaluated. Results: No significant differences were found between the groups in terms of age, sex, or past medical history. The study group had significantly shorter hospitalization and operation times than the control group (P < 0.05). Both groups showed decreased levels of IL-6, Hs-CRP, TNF- α , and reduced VAS scores after treatment compared to baseline (P < 0.05). However, the study group exhibited significantly lower post-treatment levels of IL-6, Hs-CRP, TNF- α , and lower VAS scores than the control group (P < 0.05). The rate of satisfactory breast aesthetics was also higher in the study group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided catheter drainage combined with prednisone provides superior clinical outcomes in patients with abscess-type non-lactational mastitis, resulting in reduced hospital and operation times, significantly decreased inflammatory and pain responses, and better postoperative breast aesthetics. This approach merits wider clinical adoption.