What will happen if a perianal abscess is not treated?

Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on September 22, 2024
00:00
00:00

Perianal abscesses are localized abscess formations that occur due to repeated infections in the anal crypts. Typically, under perianal ultrasonography, clear pus chambers and related structures can be observed. If perianal abscesses are not treated promptly, there is a high likelihood of expansion of the local pus chambers and dispersion of the pus, leading to an increase in the size of local anal abscesses, which might involve the sacrococcygeal area or the intersphincteric space. The primary treatment for perianal abscesses is surgical, mainly through incision and drainage to evacuate the pus, followed by thorough debridement of the local wound. Additionally, if there are changes in the local sphincter, thread-lifting therapy may also be performed.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
52sec home-news-image

How to treat recurrent perianal abscess?

If a perianal abscess has already been treated surgically, it is necessary to develop good dietary and bowel habits postoperatively to reduce the likelihood of recurrence. However, recurrence may still occur due to poor diet and bowel habits of the patient. If there is pain or discomfort at the site of the local wound of the perianal abscess, it is advisable to go to the hospital as soon as possible for an anal examination and perianal ultrasound to confirm if it has recurred. If it is confirmed to have recurred, early surgical treatment is necessary to prevent further expansion of the local infection focus or aggravation of the infection, which would increase the difficulty of treatment later.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
1min home-news-image

Can a perianal abscess heal by itself?

During the acute phase of a perianal abscess, there is significant local redness, swelling, heat, and pain around the anus. Generally, this condition is caused by an infection of the anal crypts, and the possibility of self-healing is very low, so the main treatment for a perianal abscess is surgery. The surgical approach usually involves incision and drainage of the perianal abscess, combined with a one-time curative surgery. If the abscess ruptures and forms an anal fistula, surgical treatment is also required. During the outbreak of a perianal abscess, due to the severe local pain, it is advisable to undergo surgery as soon as possible to prevent further spread of the abscess. Simple topical medications can only relieve the symptoms of local inflammatory infection and cannot achieve a cure.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
55sec home-news-image

What should I do if the perianal abscess bursts?

Since a perianal abscess is an acute symptom of a local skin infection around the anus, during the acute phase of a perianal abscess, an abscess cavity and pus formation generally occur within about a week. As the disease worsens and progresses, the perianal abscess will rupture about a week later. If the perianal abscess ruptures, it may have already formed an anal fistula. A perianal abscess and an anal fistula represent two different stages of the disease, and both require surgical treatment. The main surgical treatment for anal fistulas is fistulotomy with seton placement, and care must be taken to drain and disinfect the local wound post-surgery to prevent pseudohealing of the wound.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by He Cai Dong
Colorectal Surgery Department
1min 5sec home-news-image

How to change dressings for perianal abscess during menstruation?

Dressing changes during menstruation for perianal abscesses require cleansing with warm water after defecation. Sitz baths are not recommended as they may lead to gynecological infections. After thoroughly cleaning the area, it can be wiped with iodine. A hemorrhoid suppository should then be inserted into the anus, and hemorrhoid cream or an anti-inflammatory ointment can be applied to the wound. Covering with a piece of gauze can have an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect. Secure it with adhesive tape, and decide the frequency of dressing changes based on the amount of wound excretion. If there is a lot of excretion, it is advised to change the dressing twice a day, in the morning and evening. If the excretion is minimal and there is no feeling of moisture or discomfort, changing the dressing once a day after defecation is sufficient. At the same time, pay attention to a light diet.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
1min 5sec home-news-image

How many days is the hospital stay for perianal abscess surgery?

After surgery for a perianal abscess, due to the presence of a local wound and the significant discharge from the wound in the early postoperative period, combined with the potential fall of ligatures or elastic bands at the area, a hospital stay of approximately two weeks is required. For severe cases or those with deeper abscess cavities, a hospital stay of three weeks or even a month might be necessary. The main purpose of the hospital stay post-surgery is to monitor for any major bleeding from the wound, and to facilitate dressing changes. Postoperative dressing changes for a perianal abscess wound are crucial for recovery, as only thorough daily disinfection and dressing changes can ensure uniform granulation and growth of local tissues, prevent the enclosure of pus within the local cavity leading to pseudohealing or reinfection, and thus affect the treatment outcome of the surgery. Approximately one month after surgery, regular follow-up visits are required to monitor the healing of the local wound.