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What Is a Perirectal Abscess?

The rectum is the last part of the large intestine, where stools (bowel movements) are stored before leaving the body through the anal canal and anus. When the rectal space (the perirectal space) and glands in the rectum that make mucus are infected by bacteria, small hollow cavities or holes that fill with pus form. These collections of pus-filled cavities in this area are called perirectal abscesses. Abscesses can also form around the anus and are called perianal abscesses.

Anyone can have a perirectal abscess, but men get them more often than women.

What Causes a Perirectal Abscess?

The most common cause is a bacterial infection from the anal canal into one of the perirectal spaces. All these bacteria are normally found in the bowel (large intestine) and on skin outside the anal canal.

What Are the Symptoms of a Perirectal Abscess?

Symptoms include rectal pain that is lasting, throbbing, and often made worse with movement or straining. Others are fever, constipation, and trouble urinating. Sometimes, a rectal mass can be felt that is red, hot, tender, and swollen.

How Is a Perirectal Abscess Diagnosed?

The health care provider makes a diagnosis from symptoms and doing a physical examination. Blood tests and urine tests may also be done.

How Is a Perirectal Abscess Treated?

The main treatment is surgery. People with surface abscesses can be treated as an outpatient with local anesthesia. Deeper abscesses usually need hospitalization. A general surgeon or surgeon who specializes in diseases of the colon and rectum does the operation.

Antibiotics are often given but don’t substitute for prompt surgery and draining the abscess. Pain after surgery is usually treated by sitting in warm water (called sitz baths) three or four times daily. Medicines can also help relieve pain.

Stool softeners are used to prevent getting constipated and stop straining with bowel movements.

Complications that can occur after surgery include incomplete healing, having the abscess come back, and formation of a fistula. A fistula is a tunnel connecting the skin with the anal gland that the abscess started from. A fistula usually occurs 4 to 6 weeks after abscess drainage and needs surgery to fix it.

DOs and DON’Ts in Managing a Perirectal Abscess:

• DO get treatment. Untreated perirectal abscesses can spread into other tissues and make the problem worse.
• DO call your health care provider if you have rectal pain and high temperature.
• DO call your health care provider if you notice a mass in your rectum or drainage of pus from your anus.
• DO call your health care provider if you have lasting drainage from your incision, fever, or pain after surgery.

• DON’T ignore symptoms. The earlier surgery is done, the less the chances for complications (such as the abscess spreading to nearby tissues).
• DON’T miss follow-up health care provider appointments. The surgical wound should be checked frequently to make sure that it heals properly.

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Perianal Abscess – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

Continuing Education Activity

Perianal abscesses are the most common type of anorectal abscesses. These abscesses can cause significant discomfort for patients. They are located at the anal verge and if left untreated, can extend into the ischioanal space or intersphincteric space since these areas are continuous with the perianal space. They can also cause systemic infection if left untreated. This activity reviews the pathophysiology of perianal abscess and highlights the role of the interprofessional team in its management.

Objectives:

• Describe the pathophysiology of perianal abscess.

• Review the presentation of perianal abscess.

• Outline the treatment and management options available for perianal abscess.

• Describe interprofessional team strategies for improving care coordination and outcomes in patients with perianal abscess.

Access free multiple choice questions on this topic.

Introduction

Perianal abscesses are the most common type of anorectal abscesses. These abscesses can cause significant discomfort for patients. They are located at the anal verge and, if left untreated, can extend into the ischioanal space or intersphincteric space since these areas are continuous with the perianal space. They can also cause systemic infection if left untreated.[1][2]

Etiology

Ninety percent of all anorectal abscesses are caused by non-specific obstruction and subsequent infection of the glandular crypts of the rectum or anus. A perianal abscess is a type of anorectal abscess that is confined to the perianal space. Other causes can include inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease, as well as trauma, or cancerous origins. Patients with recurrent or complex abscesses should be evaluated for Crohn’s disease.[1][3][4][3]

Epidemiology

The prevalence of perianal abscesses and anorectal abscesses, in general, are underestimated, since most patients do not seek medical attention, or are dismissed as having symptomatic hemorrhoids.   The mean age at presentation is 40 years old, and adult males are twice as likely as females to develop an abscess.[5][6] Risk factors include anything that causes immunosuppression or poor wound healing such as smoking, HIV, immunosuppressive drugs, and diabetes. Crohn’s disease is also a known risk factor for developing a perirectal abscess.[7]

Pathophysiology

On presentation, patients will typically complain of severe pain in the anal area, which has generally been present for several days. This is due to an infection of the anal glands, which are not adequately draining through the anal crypts. The anal glands empty into ducts that traverse the internal sphincter and drain into the anal crypts at the level of the dentate line. If not adequately draining, infection of these glands will form an abscess that can spread along several planes, such as the perianal or perirectal spaces. The perianal space surrounds the anus and is continuous with the fat of the buttock. Once a fluid collection forms, it can spread along the path of least resistance, which is typically into the intersphincteric space and other potential spaces such as the supralevator space or ischiorectal space. [8][9]

Aerobic and anaerobic organisms are responsible for these abscesses, including Bacteroides fragilis, Peptostreptococcus, Prevotella, Fusobacterium, Porphyromonas, Clostridium species, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus, and Escherichia coli.[10]

History and Physical

A detailed history and physical examination are pertinent to every patient and maybe all that is necessary to make a diagnosis. Patients will complain of anal pain, which may be dull, sharp, aching, or throbbing. This may be accompanied by fever, chills, constipation, or diarrhea. Patients with perianal abscess typically present with pain around the anus, which may or may not be associated with bowel movements, but is usually constant. Purulent discharge may be reported if the abscess is spontaneously draining, and blood per rectum may also be reported in a spontaneously draining abscess.

A physical exam can typically rule out other causes of anal pain, such as hemorrhoids. It will yield an area of fluctuance or an area of erythema and induration in the skin around the perianal area. Cellulitis should be noted and marked if extending beyond the fluctuant area. For follow-up purposes, it should be noted whether the patient has diabetes, and their blood sugar on routine fingerstick should also be noted.

Evaluation

A physical exam is typically the only requirement for diagnosis. The digital rectal exam should be performed and may yield a fluctuant mass. Cellulitis may extend beyond the fluctuant area and should be marked. Computed tomography or MRI may be used in the setting of clinical suspicion without signs discussed above, especially in the setting of unexplained significant anorectal pain, and in the immunocompromised patient who may not mount an immune response. MRI is the preferred method of imaging as a CT scan may miss small abscesses in the immunocompromised patients. Anorectal ultrasound may be used however it is not tolerated well secondary to pain. [11][12][13]

Laboratory testing will usually reveal an elevated white blood cell count. However, the absence of a leukocytosis should not deter the physician from the appropriate treatment of an abscess, namely surgical drainage.

Treatment / Management

Perianal abscesses are an indication for timely incision and drainage. Antibiotic administration alone is inadequate and inappropriate. Once incision and drainage are performed, there is no need for antibiotic administration unless certain medical issues necessitate the use. Such conditions include valvular heart disease, immunocompromised patients, diabetic patients, or in the setting of sepsis. Antibiotics are also considered in these patients or cases with signs of systemic infection or significant surrounding cellulitis.[1][14]

Incision and drainage are typically performed in the clinic setting or immediately in the emergency department. Local anesthesia with 1% lidocaine may be administered to the surrounding tissues. A cruciate incision is made as close to the anal verge as possible to shorten any potential fistula formation. Blunt palpation is used to ensure no other septation or abscess pocket is missed. Before completing the procedure, it is useful to excise a skin flap of the cruciate incision or the tips of the four skin flaps to ensure adequate drainage and prevent premature healing of the skin over the abscess pocket. Packing may be placed initially for hemostasis. Continual packing may be further utilized for healing by secondary intention. Patients are encouraged to keep the incision and drainage site clean. Sitz baths may assist in pain relief.

More extensive abscesses may require the operating room for the adequate exam under anesthesia to ensure adequate drainage and inspect for other diseases such as fistula in ano.[1]

Differential Diagnosis

The differential diagnosis for a perianal abscess includes anal trauma, anal fissure, anal fistula, thrombosed external hemorrhoid, pilonidal cyst, buttocks abscess, cellulitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, malignancy, proctitis, HIV/ AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases, Bartholin’s abscess, and hidradenitis suppurativa.

Prognosis

With appropriate and prompt drainage mortality from a perirectal abscess is very low. However, in immunocompromised patients, those with Crohn’s, or those where the abscess is detected late and has progressed to a potentially deadly condition such as Fournier’s gangrene mortality and morbidity can be significant[15][16]. Additionally, the morbidity even in healthy patients can be significant with approximately one-third of patients developing a fistula secondary either to the disease process itself or the surgical drainage.[17]

Complications

• Sepsis

• Recurrent abscess

• Fistula formation (either secondary to the disease process itself or surgical intervention)

• Fecal incontinence (either secondary to the disease process itself or surgical intervention)[18]

Postoperative and Rehabilitation Care

After treatment, the patient needs pain control, laxatives or fiber supplements to avoid constipation, and instructions on properly performing sitz baths.

Outpatient antibiotics are rarely indicated but should be considered if the patient demonstrates signs of systemic infection such as fevers or high leukocytosis. Cultures and sensitivities of the causative organism are rarely helpful.[19]

Because of a high recurrence rate, all patients need to be followed up until there is complete healing, which may take up to 8 weeks. Additionally, up to one-third of patients may either already have a fistula in ano or develop one after their abscess, which is another reason to have a close follow-up. If there is a recurrent abscess, further evaluation is needed for potential Crohn’s HIV, neoplasm, or other underlying etiology.

Consultations

Perirectal abscesses often require surgical drainage even if they have ruptured or are already training. Therefore a general or colorectal surgeon should be consulted to evaluate the patient. Alternatively, an ED physician may perform the drainage procedure themselves.

If the abscess is recurrent or complicated, then a work-up for Crohn’s disease or HIV should be performed with appropriate consultations to gastroenterology or an HIV management team as needed.

Deterrence and Patient Education

There are few effective strategies to prevent perianal abscess in an otherwise healthy patient. Keeping the perianal area clean and dry to avoid skin breakdown can be helpful. High fiber diets may theoretically reduce the chance of anal gland blockage, but there is no real evidence to confirm that as an effective treatment. If the patient has an underlying etiology such as Crohn’s or HIV, then treatment of that condition can help reduce the risk of developing a perianal abscess.

Pearls and Other Issues

Horseshoe perianal abscesses are uncommon. They are abscesses that surround the entire anus. These abscesses are typically drained through an incision, and drainage is performed posterior to the anus. It is helpful to place counter incisions at the anterior extent of the abscess to ensure adequate drainage. Penrose may be placed through these incisions to aid in continued drainage and prevent premature closure. These drains are left in place for 2 to 3 weeks and then removed in the post-operative office visit.

Prompt follow-up with surgical services is advisable to monitor wound healing. Inadequate drainage may result in the reformation of an abscess, which may require repeat incision and drainage. If not promptly diagnosed and treated, perianal abscesses may lead to several other sequelae, including fistula in ano, perianal sepsis, or necrotizing soft tissue infection of the anus and surrounding buttock. If a fistula in ano is detected, patients will need operative drainage, fistulotomy, or seton placement, which may have a risk of incontinence. Necrotizing soft tissue infection treatment goals are debridement of all non-viable tissue and may require colostomy for diversion of stool during healing. If not adequately treated, necrotizing soft tissue infection may have mortality as high as 50%.

Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes

Dealing with Perianal Complications in Crohn’s Disease: A Need for an Interprofessional Approach

Lack of Medical Evidence

Perianal abscess in patients with Crohn disease causes significant morbidity. Even though there are several treatments for perianal abscess, very few are based on evidence.[1] Some treatments include drainage of the abscess, assessment of Crohn’s disease status, determining sinus tracts, medical treatment, and surgery. With the availability of new biological therapies, the outcomes are even more conflicting. Once the abscess has been drained, attempts may be made to eradicate the fistula and control Crohn disease. The definitive treatment for perianal complications of Crohn disease is very challenging and rarely leads to complete healing. No matter what treatment is selected, one must weigh the risk of ana sphincter injury, which can be devastating. Given these facts, expert opinion suggests that an interprofessional approach to the management of perianal disease in these patients is crucial to improving outcomes.[20] Because Crohn disease is a systemic disorder, the health care team should consist of the following:

• Colorectal surgeon

• Dietitian to determine the need for nutrition

• Gastroenterologist to monitor for Crohn’s disease

• Nurses to educate the patient on perianal complications

• Pharmacists to follow the prescribed drugs and ensure that the patient is not developing adverse drug reactions

Outcomes

The outcomes of perianal abscess treatment depend on the timing of the surgery. Patients with early diagnosis and treatment tend to have good outcomes, but those who have a delay in treatment usually have prolonged hospital course, need for repeated surgical treatments at higher risk of recurrence. The key to improving outcomes is to follow the patient and monitor for any perianal symptoms closely.[21] [Level V]

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References

1.

Choi YS, Kim DS, Lee DH, Lee JB, Lee EJ, Lee SD, Song KH, Jung HJ. Clinical Characteristics and Incidence of Perianal Diseases in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis. Ann Coloproctol. 2018 Jun;34(3):138-143. [PMC free article: PMC6046543] [PubMed: 29991202]

2.

Sahnan K, Adegbola SO, Tozer PJ, Watfah J, Phillips RK. Perianal abscess. BMJ. 2017 Feb 21;356:j475. [PubMed: 28223268]

3.

Mahmoud NN, Halwani Y, Montbrun S, Shah PM, Hedrick TL, Rashid F, Schwartz DA, Dalal RL, Kamiński JP, Zaghiyan K, Fleshner PR, Weissler JM, Fischer JP. Current management of perianal Crohn’s disease. Curr Probl Surg. 2017 May;54(5):262-298. [PubMed: 28583256]

4.

Ikeda T, Konaka R, Adachi Y, Matsumoto A, Harada N, Wada T, Mitsutsuji M, Samizo M. Perianal abscess due to a long fish bone: a case report. J Surg Case Rep. 2021 Mar;2021(3):rjab084. [PMC free article: PMC7984843] [PubMed: 33777354]

5.

Adamo K, Sandblom G, Brännström F, Strigård K. Prevalence and recurrence rate of perianal abscess–a population-based study, Sweden 1997-2009. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2016 Mar;31(3):669-73. [PubMed: 26768004]

6.

Read DR, Abcarian H. A prospective survey of 474 patients with anorectal abscess. Dis Colon Rectum. 1979 Nov-Dec;22(8):566-8. [PubMed: 527452]

7.

Gajendran M, Loganathan P, Catinella AP, Hashash JG. A comprehensive review and update on Crohn’s disease. Dis Mon. 2018 Feb;64(2):20-57. [PubMed: 28826742]

8.

Deen-Molenaar CH, Jordanov T, Felt-Bersma RJ. Intersphincteric infection due to an anal fissure. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2016 Mar;31(3):727-8. [PubMed: 25935451]

9.

Ommer A, Herold A, Berg E, Fürst A, Sailer M, Schiedeck T. German S3 guideline: anal abscess. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2012 Jun;27(6):831-7. [PubMed: 22362468]

10.

Brook I. The role of anaerobic bacteria in cutaneous and soft tissue abscesses and infected cysts. Anaerobe. 2007 Oct-Dec;13(5-6):171-7. [PubMed: 17923425]

11.

Chandwani D, Shih R, Cochrane D. Bedside emergency ultrasonography in the evaluation of a perirectal abscess. Am J Emerg Med. 2004 Jul;22(4):315. [PubMed: 15258876]

12.

Sofic A, Beslic S, Sehovic N, Caluk J, Sofic D. MRI in evaluation of perianal fistulae. Radiol Oncol. 2010 Dec;44(4):220-7. [PMC free article: PMC3423712] [PubMed: 22933919]

13.

Khati NJ, Sondel Lewis N, Frazier AA, Obias V, Zeman RK, Hill MC. CT of acute perianal abscesses and infected fistulae: a pictorial essay. Emerg Radiol. 2015 Jun;22(3):329-35. [PubMed: 25421387]

14.

Wright WF. Infectious Diseases Perspective of Anorectal Abscess and Fistula-in-ano Disease. Am J Med Sci. 2016 Apr;351(4):427-34. [PubMed: 27079352]

15.

Mak WY, Mak OS, Lee CK, Tang W, Leung WK, Wong MTL, Sze ASF, Li M, Leung CM, Lo FH, Lam BCY, Chan KH, Shan EHS, Tsang SWC, Hui AJ, Chow WH, Chan FKL, Sung JJY, Ng SC. Significant Medical and Surgical Morbidity in Perianal Crohn’s Disease: Results from a Territory-Wide Study. J Crohns Colitis. 2018 Nov 28;12(12):1392-1398. [PubMed: 30165543]

16.

Chen Y, Wang X, Lin G, Xiao R. Successful treatment following early recognition of a case of Fournier’s scrotal gangrene after a perianal abscess debridement: a case report. J Med Case Rep. 2018 Jun 27;12(1):193. [PMC free article: PMC6020361] [PubMed: 29945675]

17.

Khalid A, Faisal MF. Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Transrectal Drainage of Perirectal Abscess in a Patient with Crohn Disease. Am J Case Rep. 2021 Jun 08;22:e930698. [PMC free article: PMC8202418] [PubMed: 34099613]

18.

Rho M, Guida AM, Materazzo M, Don CP, Gazia C, Ivanikhin AM, Tognoni V, Venditti D. Ligasure Hemorrhoidectomy: Updates on Complications After an 18-Year Experience. Rev Recent Clin Trials. 2021;16(1):101-108. [PubMed: 33023436]

19.

Xu RW, Tan KK, Chong CS. Bacteriological study in perianal abscess is not useful and not cost-effective. ANZ J Surg. 2016 Oct;86(10):782-784. [PubMed: 27226422]

20.

Amato A, Bottini C, De Nardi P, Giamundo P, Lauretta A, Realis Luc A, Tegon G, Nicholls RJ., Italian society of colorectal surgery. Evaluation and management of perianal abscess and anal fistula: a consensus statement developed by the Italian Society of Colorectal Surgery (SICCR). Tech Coloproctol. 2015 Oct;19(10):595-606. [PubMed: 26377581]

21.

Nguyen VQ, Jiang D, Hoffman SN, Guntaka S, Mays JL, Wang A, Gomes J, Sorrentino D. Impact of Diagnostic Delay and Associated Factors on Clinical Outcomes in a U.S. Inflammatory Bowel Disease Cohort. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2017 Oct;23(10):1825-1831. [PubMed: 28885229]

Disclosure: David Sigmon declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Bishoy Emmanuel declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Faiz Tuma declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Anorectal (perirectal) abscess – a description of the disease acute paraproctitis, signs and causes of the disease abscessus anorectalis, as well as prevention in case of complication and determination of recurrence, diagnosis and symptoms of the disease pain and pressure in the anus

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Description – Anorectal (perirectal) abscess

Latin name: Abscessus anorectalis

Synonyms: Acute paraproctitis

Anorectal abscess develops immediately near the anus, usually as a result of infection of the tissues of the anorectal region.

The main cause of anorectal abscesses is a bacterial infection that penetrates deep into the tissues surrounding the rectum from the intestinal lumen, which is dominated by Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, streptococci, staphylococci and bacteroids.

Often anorectal abscesses are formed in people suffering from intestinal diverticulum, chlamydia, tuberculosis, AIDS, syphilis, colon cancer.

Epidemiology
Symptoms
Diagnostics
Complications
Treatment
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Description of the disease – Anorectal (perirectal) abscess:

Anorectal abscesses can develop in people of any age, including children in the first months of life. The disease is more common in men and in people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

In infants during the first months of life, symptoms of anorectal abscesses may be small reddish protrusions under the skin in the anus, which parents discover when changing a diaper. The child may be irritable and moody. Adult patients usually complain of: discomfort, throbbing pain in the anus or near the anus, pain during bowel movements, swelling and redness in the perianal region, constipation, pus from the rectum, fever, night sweats and chills, fatigue and general malaise.

Symptoms:
pain and pressure in the anus, bloody and purulent discharge from the anus, swelling and redness in the anus, increased pain during bowel movements, and symptoms such as fever, night sweats, chills, general malaise, fatigue

Diagnosis is established during examination . Sometimes, to confirm and clarify the diagnosis, with deep abscesses, CT or MRI of the pelvis, ultrasound is performed.

Distinguish between:
anorectal (perirectal) abscess, hemorrhoids, anal fissure

Medical procedures performed in case of anorectal (perirectal) abscess disease: Consultation with a proctologist, Computed tomography, Magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound

With timely seeking medical help and surgical treatment, the prognosis is favorable.

Complications:
sepsis (severe infection), rectal cancer, anal and rectal fistula

Treatment . An operation to open and drain the abscess is recommended. This greatly speeds up recovery and reduces the risk of complications. In the postoperative period, antibiotics are prescribed.

In the case of perirectal abscesses in children under one year of age, antibiotic treatment is preferred.

Prophylaxis . Frequent diaper changes and personal hygiene can help prevent anal fissures and perianal abscesses in newborns and toddlers. In adults, prevention of diseases of the rectum and anus. Personal hygiene.

Medical procedures: Abscess opening
In the treatment of this disease, the following methods are used: medicinal, non-drug, conservative, minimally invasive surgery

Specialties for a given disease

• Proctologist

On this page you can get maximum information about such a disease as anorectal (perirectal) abscess.
Read the description and symptoms of acute paraproctitis disease, learn about possible causes and complications.
Having learned about the manifestations and signs of such a pathology as abscessus anorectalis. It will become clear to you how to determine the nature of the disease and which doctor to contact to undergo medical measures and avoid serious consequences and complications.
The pathogenesis of the disease is the same in adults and children, and prevention and treatment differ in different age groups.
You can also see a photo of the disease and find out if a recurrence of the disease is possible, pain and pressure in the anus and whether prevention is necessary.

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Hello! My second pregnancy is a carrier of hepatitis C. The first birth was 10 years ago, the child was not transmitted hepatitis C. Now the tests for hepatitis C are again positive, I am very afraid for the baby’s health. The rest of the tests are all good, for my health, not earlier, not now I’m not complaining. What is the probability of infection of the child during pregnancy?

Clydefelter’s syndrome

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The severity of the disease can only be determined at puberty, when secondary sexual characteristics begin to appear. this disease, as a rule, is not inherited (since most patients are infertile). It is up to you whether to leave the pregnancy or not

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Paraproctitis (acute and chronic) in adults or children

What are paraproctitis and perirectal abscesses?

Paraproctitis is an inflammation of the tissues surrounding the rectum. Quite often, pus accumulates in the foci of inflammation around the rectum and so-called perirectal abscesses are formed (if pus accumulates under the skin in the anus, they speak of perianal abscess ).

A collection of pus from an abscess may break through the skin surrounding the anus or into the rectum. The channel that forms after the breakthrough of pus is called anal fistula .

Paraproctitis and perirectal abscesses can develop in people of any age, including children in the first months of life.

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Causes of the development of paraproctitis and perirectal abscesses

The main cause of the development of paraproctitis and perirectal abscesses is a bacterial infection that penetrates deep into the tissues surrounding the rectum from the intestinal lumen.

Quite often, paraproctitis and perirectal abscesses form in people suffering from diverticulitis , chlamydia , rectal tuberculosis, AIDS, syphilis, rectal cancer .

Symptoms and signs of paraproctitis and perirectal abscesses

Symptoms of paraproctitis are most often unpleasant sensations (dull pain, discomfort) and itching in the anus, which increase during walking, as well as during defecation (going to the toilet in a big way).

With the formation of abscesses (especially large ones), pain in the anus can become very severe. Other symptoms of perirectal abscesses may include fever, chills.

In infants, symptoms of perianal abscesses may be small, reddish, protrusions under the skin in the anus, which parents usually notice when changing a diaper.

Why are paraproctitis and perirectal abscesses dangerous?

A complication of paraproctitis or perirectal abscesses can be a dangerous spread of infection, with the development of massive tissue inflammation or blood poisoning.

Without adequate treatment, perirectal abscesses rupture, and the paths through which pus is released turn into fistulas . In turn, fistulas of the anus can give rise to the development of rectal cancer.

Treatment of paraproctitis and perirectal abscesses

As a rule, in case of paraproctitis and perirectal abscess, doctors recommend an operation to remove the accumulated pus. The operation accelerates recovery many times over and reduces the risk of complications that may arise during the natural development of the disease.

Treatment of perirectal abscesses with drugs alone is ineffective and can only aggravate the disease.

The only exception is cases of perirectal abscesses in children under one year of age, in which antibiotic treatment is preferred.

The volume and complexity of the operation to remove the abscess depends on its size, location and general condition of the patient at the time of the visit to the doctor.

Small abscesses located under the skin around the anus are opened with small incisions under local anesthesia. Deep abscesses may require more complex surgery under general anesthesia.

Doctors may prescribe antibiotics as an additional treatment.

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Postoperative period

Recovery after perirectal abscess surgery can take 2-3 weeks.