Is mastectomy an option in treatment of breast abscesses?

Three cases of severe breast infection are presented. The first patient was admitted with a gangrenous left breast and was in septic shock. She died soon after admission. The second case had bilateral breast abscesses and was toxic. She also died after treatment with antibiotics and multiple debridments. The third patient with bilateral severe breast infection had right mastectomy. She made a rapid improvement. It is proposed that mastectomy may be a reasonable option for management of advanced or neglected breast infection or necrotising fasciitis of the breast.