This is the incision and drainage of an infected cyst with packing. The packing could certainly be optional, in most cases, as studies show it isn't necessary. I use it, in cases like these, where I'm worried about loculations and the anaesthesia isn't great (because the field is infected) so breaking them down becomes problematic for the patient. On that note, I think it is worth noting that around the 4-5min point the patient describes 'feeling' me working and I should have addressed that more properly. I can explain, for a variety of reasons, why I know she was having more pressure than anything else, but it really doesn't matter. She was apprehensive and I should have focused on that better. There is always something to learn, even for me.
