What should I do if there is pus draining from a perianal abscess?

Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on September 07, 2024
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When a perianal abscess occurs, there is typically pus or an enclosed abscess under the skin. If the perianal abscess ruptures and drains pus, it may have developed into an anal fistula. Once a perianal abscess forms an anal fistula, surgical treatment should be carried out as soon as possible. The surgical methods for treating perianal abscesses and anal fistulas mainly include incision drainage debridement surgery and incision with seton placement. After the surgery, due to substantial secretion from the local wound, it is essential to disinfect and change dressings regularly and to monitor the wound daily. It is crucial to prevent excessive granulation or pseudohealing at the local site, which could encapsulate the infection and prevent complete recovery, potentially leading to recurrence in the future.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Why does a perianal abscess recur?

Perianal abscess is an infectious disease of the local skin and tissues around the anus caused by an infection in the anal crypts. If a perianal abscess is not treated with a definitive one-time surgical intervention, it is very likely to recur, or after rupture of the abscess, to form an anal fistula with long-term intermittent discharge of pus from an external opening. Therefore, during the acute phase of a perianal abscess, once a distinct abscess cavity and pus formation occurs, it is necessary to promptly perform a one-time definitive surgical treatment of the perianal abscess, rather than choosing conservative medication treatment or simple incision and drainage. The above treatments only temporarily alleviate symptoms of a perianal abscess; only a one-time definitive surgery that completely cleans the local wound can result in the complete healing of the perianal abscess.

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Colorectal Surgery
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Postoperative Precautions for Perianal Abscess Surgery

After surgery for a perianal abscess, it is important to focus on the diet, primarily a liquid diet, since normal defecation is not advised in the early postoperative period or if the stool is too dry to avoid irritating the wound with feces, causing pain or even symptoms of infection. Therefore, the postoperative diet should primarily consist of a light, liquid diet. Postoperatively, since there will be local sutures and ligatures tied at the wound site, it is not recommended to engage in excessive exercise and activity within two weeks. The recovery of the local wound after surgery requires proper dressing changes. Postoperative dressing changes involve daily cleaning and disinfection of the local wound, ensuring smooth drainage, and using gauze packing to pressurize and drain the wound.

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Written by He Cai Dong
Colorectal Surgery Department
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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.

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Colorectal Surgery
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What will happen if a perianal abscess is not treated?

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.

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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.