One hundred and fifty-three patients with an indication for surgical drainage of soft tissue abscess were randomized to receive post-operative non-sterile irrigation protocol (NSI; n= 78) or sterile irrigation (SI) protocol (n=75). Primary outcomes of interest included the incidence of re-infection and re-operation, evaluated up to 12 weeks follow-up. Secondary outcomes of interest included pain measured on the visual analogue scale (VAS), quality of life measured by subscales of the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) (physical functioning, role limitation/physical performance, energy-level, social functioning, overall pain, general health, emotional functioning/role limitation, emotional well-being), scar assessment using the Vancouver Scar Scale and Patient and Observer Scare Scale (POSAS) at 12 weeks, use of ambulant wound care service, time spent/day by wound care service, inability to work, and wound persistence. VAS scores and all subscales of SF-36 were measured at 1, 3, 6, and 12 weeks follow-up. Recurrence rate, satisfaction and a patient scar assessment were performed by telephone at 2 years post-treatment. 4 cases of reinfection were observed in both groups (6.6% in the SI and 7% in NSI). 1 patient in the SI group and 2 in the NSI group required re-operation within 12 months. For secondary outcomes, the usage of ambulant wound care service was statistically significantly higher in the SI group vs NSI at both 1 and 3 weeks follow up (p=0.003 and 0.001, respectively). All other outcomes were not statistically significantly different at any of the timepoints (p>0.05).