A 5-step systematic therapy (FSST) for treating plugged ducts and mastitis in breastfeeding women

Abstract Introduction: Plugged ducts and mastitis are common conditions in lactating women. Milk excretion and relief of local symptoms are equally important for the treatment of plugged ducts and mastitis.This study aimed to describe clinical response to 5-step systematic therapy (FSST) in the management of plugged ducts and mastitis. FSST was a comprehensive milk stasis dredging treatment, which contained five steps to make the milk out of the plugged duct. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 922 breastfeeding women, 714 with plugged ducts and 208 with mastitis who received FSST at the breast nursing outpatient department from June to September 2017. The breast pain score, swelling degree and range of breast induration were recorded pre-FSST and post-FSST. Results: After a single FSST, pain score and degree of swelling were significantly improved (both, p < 0.001) in all cases. After receiving FSST, the mean breast pain relief score was 1.7±0.7, while the mean swelling fade-away degree was 1.6±0.6. In subgroup analysis, pain score and degree of swelling were significantly improved (both, p < 0.001) in the plugged ducts group and the mastitis group. The score of pain relief in the plugged ducts group was less than that in the mastitis group (1.6±0.7 vs. 1.9±0.7, t=-5.301, p=0.000), while improvement of swelling fade-away was greater in the plugged ducts group than the mastitis group (1.7±0.6 vs. 1.5±0.6, t=3.488, p=0.001). The composition ratio of the changes in induration range between the two groups was statistically different (Pearsonχ2=137.865, p = 0.000), of which more obvious improvement in the plugged ducts group than the mastitis group (χ2=25.653, p = 0.000). Conclusion: FSST can relieve pain, reduce breast swelling and range of induration, and for plugged ducts or mastitis varied degree differently.