How should a perianal abscess be treated effectively?

Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on September 29, 2024
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During the acute phase of a perianal abscess, there is generally severe pain in the anal area, accompanied by redness and throbbing of the skin, and there may be a pus cavity or pus encapsulation under the skin. The treatment of perianal abscess is mainly surgical. The surgical method is incision and drainage, combined with a one-time radical surgery. If the infection involves the local sphincter or has already formed a clear fistula, further incision and ligation surgery may be required. After surgery, it is necessary to thoroughly disinfect and change the dressings of the wound to prevent excessive granulation or the formation of false healing at the local wound. Postoperative diet should consist mainly of light, liquid foods, and spicy and irritating foods should be avoided.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Is the recurrence rate of perianal abscess high?

Perianal abscess is an acute infectious disease localized around the anus. If a perianal abscess acutely erupts, it requires prompt surgical treatment. Without surgery, there is a possibility of recurrent episodes of perianal abscesses or the formation of anal fistulas due to the rupture of the abscess. After surgery for a perianal abscess, it is also important to pay attention to a light diet and regular bowel movements. It is crucial not to allow the stool to become too dry, nor to experience diarrhea. Recurrent diarrhea can lead to infection of the anal crypts, thereby causing perianal abscesses and local infections. Therefore, the care of a perianal abscess is very important; maintaining good dietary and bowel habits is essential to prevent recurrence of the abscess.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Anal abscess should visit which department?

Perianal abscess is a common disease in proctology, generally involving an infection of the local anal crypts and submucosal tissues near the anus. When a perianal abscess acutely flares, it is necessary to register with the department of coloproctology and undergo surgical treatment as soon as possible to prevent the abscess from expanding and leading to a systemic infection. The primary surgical treatment for perianal abscesses is a onetime radical surgery, but when there are changes resembling anal fistulas or leakage, options may also include incision, drainage, and seton procedures. After surgery, it is necessary to disinfect the local wound daily and ensure that the wound drainage is unobstructed.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Can you eat fish with a perianal abscess?

Patients with perianal abscesses should avoid eating seafood or consuming excessive amounts of seafood products. Because fish and seafood are considered to provoke symptoms in traditional beliefs, their overconsumption can lead to congestion and swelling of the local mucosa. Along with an acute infection of a perianal abscess, food may exacerbate the infection. Therefore, the diet of patients with a perianal abscess should primarily be bland. Additionally, once a perianal abscess is detected, it is necessary to perform an incision and drainage procedure for the abscess promptly, as well as a one-time debridement and radical surgery to prevent the further expansion of the abscess cavity or recurrent infection leading to the formation of anal fistulas.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Which department should I go to for perianal abscess?

During the acute phase of a perianal abscess, patients experience significant local redness, swelling, heat, and pain around the anus. The pain is severe and in some cases, patients are unable to sit or walk normally due to the discomfort. During this acute phase, the swelling of the skin around the anus can easily be confused with skin carbuncles, leading patients to mistakenly visit a dermatologist. However, a perianal abscess is a local anal disease that requires registration with a colorectal surgery department, as it is not merely a skin carbuncle but an infection caused by an infection at the anal crypts inside the anal canal. This necessitates prompt surgical incision and drainage, and, if a fistula has formed, a fistulotomy may also be necessary.

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Colorectal Surgery
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Can an anal abscess be cured by taking medicine?

An anal abscess is formed due to repeated infections within the anal crypts, resulting in localized pus or an encapsulated abscess. During an episode, the patient experiences severe pain, strong positive tenderness, and notable swelling, heat, and pain around the anal area. In severe cases, it can affect normal sitting and even walking activities. When an anal abscess occurs, it generally requires prompt surgical incision and drainage followed by definitive surgery. Relying solely on oral or topical medications cannot completely cure an anal abscess and only serves to alleviate symptoms. Post-surgery for an anal abscess usually involves local dressing changes to prevent pseudohealing and maintain proper drainage of the wound.