What is the internal opening of a perianal abscess?

Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on April 13, 2025
00:00
00:00

The internal opening of a perianal abscess primarily refers to the anal crypt. It forms an infection site due to prolonged, repeated inflammatory infections, generally characterized by distinct pus discharge from the internal opening. Therefore, perianal abscesses tend to form a local internal opening near the anus along with intermittent pus discharge. If the perianal abscess acutely flares up or the pus cavity spreads, it might also rupture, causing pus to exit from an external opening, thereby leading to the formation of a typical anal fistula. During the acute phase of a perianal abscess, if there is local internal opening pain or pus discharge, it is recommended to seek surgical treatment as soon as possible. The primary method of surgery is aimed at radical treatment in one session. The principle involves opening the local pus cavity to allow for the discharge of pus, followed by a thorough debridement and removal of the local infection site. However, it is necessary to preserve the function of the local anal sphincter. If needed, a seton procedure may also be performed.

Other Voices

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

What should not be eaten with a perianal abscess?

During the acute phase of a perianal abscess, it is not advised to consume overly spicy and stimulating foods, drink alcohol, or eat much lamb, seafood, and other aggravating items. This is because a perianal abscess is a local infectious disease around the anus. Therefore, it is necessary to undergo surgery as soon as possible during an outbreak to prevent the spread of the abscess and increase the difficulty of treatment later. The surgical methods mainly include incision and drainage and one-time radical surgery. However, when there is a local fistula or changes in the sphincter, a fistulotomy with seton placement can also be chosen. Post-surgery, it is crucial to pay attention to the local wound drainage and dressing changes, which are very important for wound healing. It is essential to ensure proper drainage and thorough dressing changes to avoid pseudohealing or recurrent infection of the wound.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
58sec home-news-image

Can a perianal abscess in children heal by itself?

Although they are all perianal abscesses, each child's condition is different. The size of the perianal abscesses varies; some are as small as a grain of rice and may heal on their own, but there are also larger ones the size of a walnut, or even cause the entire buttock area to become swollen and red. Such cases require hospitalization, especially for younger children who also exhibit systemic symptoms like fever. They generally require hospital treatment. Meanwhile, it is recommended that parents take good care of the baby's perianal area, maintain a healthy diet and bowel habits, avoid diarrhea and constipation, ensure cleanliness around the anal area, and use soft, non-irritating wet wipes when cleaning the area to avoid friction injuries that could lead to infections, as the skin of small infants is very delicate.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
49sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
48sec home-news-image

The difference between perianal abscess and hemorrhoids

Perianal abscess and hemorrhoids are two different types of common anorectal diseases. When a perianal abscess occurs, the onset is generally sudden and there is severe pain in the anal area. Under the skin of the anal area or inside the anal canal, a submucosal abscess forms, encapsulating pus. Surgical treatment is required as soon as possible to prevent further spread of the abscess cavity. Hemorrhoids, on the other hand, are caused by the long-term and repeated accumulation of local tissues in the anal area, leading to the formation of blood clots or varicose vein masses. These generally occur near or around the dentate line, and may also be accompanied by skin tags of external hemorrhoids.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yu Xu Chao
Colorectal Surgery
1min 6sec home-news-image

Does a recurrent perianal abscess occur in the same location?

The recurrence of a perianal abscess may not necessarily be in the same location, but it is possible. If the internal opening was not completely cleared during the first perianal abscess surgery, this could lead to reinfection of the anal glands and subsequently a recurrence of the perianal abscess. In such cases, it is advisable to visit a hospital early for a perianal MRI to determine the position of the internal opening and the extent of the infected tissue. Then, a one-time radical surgery for the perianal abscess can be performed. After the surgery, it is crucial to consistently use medications like red oil gauze, anal wash, and golden ointment for dressing changes, to promote wound healing and avoid pseudo-healing. Additionally, if a perianal abscess was completely cured once, poor diet, lack of sleep, or frequent alcohol consumption could potentially cause abscesses in other perianal areas later. This situation is quite common, so it is important for patients to maintain a light diet.