How to find the internal opening of a perianal abscess?

Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on September 03, 2024
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The internal opening of a perianal abscess is mainly identified through digital rectal examination and with the aid of a probe and perianal ultrasonography. Typically, during the onset of a perianal abscess, there is noticeable redness, swelling, heat, and pain around the anus. Inside the anal canal, digital rectal examination and anoscopy reveal swollen mucosa at the anal crypt, accompanied by the discharge of pus. Using a probe for exploration can clearly identify the presence of the internal opening locally. Once the internal opening of a perianal abscess is located, prompt surgical treatment is necessary. Surgery for perianal abscesses generally involves a one-time radical procedure complemented by incision and drainage. If an internal opening exists and involves the sphincter, further surgery involving incision, drainage, and seton placement may be required.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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What anti-inflammatory medication should be taken for a perianal abscess?

If the perianal abscess is in the acute phase, one can opt for oral medication that clears heat, cools the blood, reduces swelling, and relieves pain, specifically designed for hemorrhoids, and it can be combined with oral antibiotics for anti-inflammatory treatment. However, treating a perianal abscess with oral medication alone can only alleviate symptoms or prevent the pus cavity from spreading too quickly, and does not provide a radical cure. The definitive treatment for a perianal abscess primarily involves surgery. The surgical method generally used is a one-time radical surgery for perianal abscesses, as the abscess forms a pus cavity and pus under the skin around the anus. Therefore, the surgery initially requires draining of the local pus, followed by thorough debridement of the walls of the pus cavity to allow fresh granulation tissue to regrow, filling the wound and facilitating the recovery of the local wound. (Note: This answer is for reference only. Please consult a doctor and follow the guidance of a professional physician before using any medication. Do not self-medicate.)

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Colorectal Surgery
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Anal abscess tight skin tendon pain for a few days

If a perianal abscess undergoes a rubber band ligation surgery, the rubber band may fall off within a week to ten days. If the local rubber band is too loose or takes longer to fall off after surgery, the doctor can further tighten the local rubber band to promote its earlier detachment and ensure the function of the local sphincter around the anus. After tightening the rubber band, the local wound may experience significant pain and minor bleeding due to the pulling of the rubber band. The pain usually lasts about one to two days and will gradually subside as the local wound heals.

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Colorectal Surgery
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What is causing the stabbing pain in the wound half a year after perianal abscess surgery?

Six months after surgery for a perianal abscess, if there is local pain at the wound site, it is first necessary to rule out the presence of local infection and recurrence. To differentiate between infection and recurrence, it is necessary to conduct a digital rectal examination and a perianal ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis. If infection and recurrence are ruled out, consider the possibility that the pain may be due to contraction and softening of the scar tissue at the site of the perianal abscess surgery, leading to painful stinging at the wound. Local application of anti-inflammatory ointments or gels can be used to treat the inflammation. If the pain or discomfort is severe, Chinese herbal washes or dilute salt water can be used for fumigation and hot compresses on the local scar.

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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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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.