When is surgery indicated for furunculosis?
Surgery may become necessary if it is a matter of recurrent boils where conservative (drug therapy) has failed. The operation involves splitting the furuncle under local or general anesthesia. The wound is also rinsed to remove the pus.
Whether the operation can be performed on an outpatient or inpatient basis, the doctor must decide individually. This depends, among other things, on symptoms, severity, localization and possible risk factors. Particularly in the case of facial boils, special caution should be exercised and, in case of doubt, surgical therapy should be sought sooner rather than later.
Due to the localization, the spread of the pathogens can lead to very serious complications such as purulent inflammation of the orbital cavity (orbitaphlegmon), meningitis, and cerebral venous thrombosis (sinus-cavernous thrombosis). The latter can be life-threatening due to the involvement of the brain. Another frequent location of furuncles is the inner side of the thigh.
Here, among other things, tight and abrasive clothing can be a risk factor. In contrast to the face, possible complications are less likely to be life-threatening, but boils on the thigh should nevertheless be treated with the same care, because here too the bacteria can spread and cause blood poisoning (sepsis). Whether an operation is necessary depends on the individual complaints and the response to medication.
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