There are several treatment options for anorectal abscesses, one of the most common and efficient of which is the surgical drainage of the abscess. In this method, the surgeon makes an incision on the skin near the anus to let the pus drain through it. Depending on the type of conditions of the abscess, this is done in two ways:
- If the abscess is simple and superficial, it can be treated in an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia in the physician’s office.
- If the abscess is more complicated, there is a need for a surgical procedure under general or spinal anesthesia in a hospital. The patient may also need to stay at the hospital a bit longer.If the anal abscess drains on its own before anorectal abscess surgery, there will be no need to visit a physician to drain the abscess. However, this is considered a rare case.
Draining an anorectal abscess in a surgical procedure
Important points about anorectal abscess surgery
If you are going to undergo anorectal abscess surgery, you need to follow preoperative and postoperative care. It is better to visit your surgeon before the operation to give you the necessary pieces of advice. Ask your surgeon any question you have to be aware of all details about this surgery. The physician and the hospital nurses will inform you of the important points and the things you must bring with you for the operation. You will be also briefed about how to change your dressing, how many clothes you should bring, and how often you should change clothes.
For a complete course of treatment and recovery, the surgeon should consider the points regarding the treatment of anorectal abscesses:
- Correct diagnosis can play a great role in the treatment of anorectal abscesses. The surgeon should carefully determine the number and type of abscesses and examine the possible existence of a fistula.
- The surgeon should note that correct treatment and suturing are more important than beauty in this procedure.
- The treatment option selected by the surgeon can affect the risk of recurrence of an anorectal abscess.
- The surgeon should ask the patient to revisit the office 6 weeks after anorectal abscess surgery to check the dressing and sutures and also examine the healing process.
Anorectal abscess surgery is a completely simple and routine procedure for general surgeons. This procedure is usually performed in a single session, and the patient is discharged after the operation. It is recommended to ask a close family member or friend to take care of you at home for at least 24 hours after surgery. If you desire to be hospitalized for one day after surgery, it is better to make the necessary arrangements in advance.
Procedure for anorectal abscess surgery
In this surgery, anorectal abscesses are cut and opened in the shortest way possible. The surgery method is determined based on the location of abscesses. Anorectal abscess surgery may be performed under general, local, or spinal anesthesia. The best method for anorectal abscess surgery is to use laser equipment. Anorectal abscess laser surgery is a delicate procedure that minimizes the risk of postoperative complications.
The subcutaneous abscesses occurring inside the external anal canal are usually treated using the skin removal technique to ease the drainage of pus and prevent the early closure of skin pores in the affected area.
Muscle abscesses are drained and treated by different methods. Such abscesses are treated through the transanal drainage tube; some incisions are made on the anoderm and internal sphincter covering the abscess in order to open the abscess.
For the surgical treatment of an ischiorectal abscess, a large enough incision is made on the skin to connect the abscess to the Ischiorectal space.
Pelvic anorectal abscesses can be also drained circularly. However, the edges should be opened wide enough to ensure the complete drainage of infections and pus.
Transverse discharge may be also employed for a pelvic anorectal abscess with a fistula towards the rectum.
A video of anorectal abscess surgery
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about anorectal abscess surgery
1-Is an anorectal abscess serious?
An anorectal abscess is usually a painful and unbearable condition. About 50% of untreated anorectal abscesses may develop into an anal fistula. If you delay the treatment of this disease, the fistula channels get larger and the infection and pain spread to other parts of the body.
2-Is it possible to treat an anorectal abscess by a nonsurgical procedure?
First of all, a general surgeon should examine you to determine the extent of the abscess. Since the treatment of this disease is based on the drainage of the abscess, the only treatment for this disease is abscess surgery. However, the smaller and less deep an anorectal abscess is, the easier the surgical procedure for draining the abscess would be.
3-What are the prescriptions after anorectal abscess surgery?
The surgeon may prescribe you some or no medications to facilitate the postoperative recovery. For example, the surgeon may prescribe painkillers to reduce severe pain, antibiotics to prevent infections, or laxatives to control constipation.
4-Does anorectal abscess surgery require anesthesia?
Dr. Zahra Saadati performs anorectal abscess surgery in her clinic under spinal anesthesia. However, conventional surgery for treating this disease requires general anesthesia.
5-Does an anorectal abscess still need to be treated surgically if it bursts?
If an anorectal abscess bursts, it should be examined by a general surgeon. Since the risk of recurrence is very high in such cases, it is necessary to visit a general surgeon and laser surgery specialist as soon as possible.
6-How will I feel after anorectal abscess surgery?
You will definitely get rid of pain after the drainage of an anorectal abscess because the preoperative severe pain gradually reduces. You will feel no pain after one or two days if you undergo laser surgery because the anal vessels and nerves are not damaged and the surgical wound heals very quickly. In addition, you will completely recover in one to two weeks. An anorectal abscess is very unlikely to recur if it is drained by laser equipment. If your surgical procedure is perfumed under spinal anesthesia, avoid standing up to prevent headaches.
7-Is anorectal abscess surgery a painful procedure?
It can be surely stated that you feel less pain after this procedure. You will feel no pain during surgery because the drainage of a painful abscess quickly reduces pain and inflammation.