Can a perianal abscess burst on its own after it forms pus?

Written by Yu Xu Chao
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on October 25, 2024
00:00
00:00

After an anal abscess becomes purulent, one should not attempt to rupture it on their own. If purulence occurs, it is advised to perform local disinfection under a doctor's supervision, followed by incision and drainage or pus aspiration to prevent further infection.

Attempting to rupture it on your own can easily lead to further aggravation of the local infection. After an anal abscess becomes purulent, the choice of incision location is crucial; once cut, it is necessary to maintain unobstructed drainage to avoid subsequent infection or even necrotizing fasciitis.

In clinical practice regarding anal abscesses, it is advised to visit a colorectal surgery department at a hospital as soon as the abscess is detected, to undergo procedures such as incision and drainage or radical surgery of the anal abscess to avoid the later development of anal fistulas or necrotizing fasciitis. Post-surgery, medications such as red oil gauze strips, anal cleansing solutions, and aureomycin ointment are recommended for dressing changes.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
56sec home-news-image

How should a perianal abscess be treated effectively?

During the acute phase of a perianal abscess, there is generally severe pain in the anal area, accompanied by redness and throbbing of the skin, and there may be a pus cavity or pus encapsulation under the skin. The treatment of perianal abscess is mainly surgical. The surgical method is incision and drainage, combined with a one-time radical surgery. If the infection involves the local sphincter or has already formed a clear fistula, further incision and ligation surgery may be required. After surgery, it is necessary to thoroughly disinfect and change the dressings of the wound to prevent excessive granulation or the formation of false healing at the local wound. Postoperative diet should consist mainly of light, liquid foods, and spicy and irritating foods should be avoided.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
56sec home-news-image

Is the recurrence rate of perianal abscess high?

Perianal abscess is an acute infectious disease localized around the anus. If a perianal abscess acutely erupts, it requires prompt surgical treatment. Without surgery, there is a possibility of recurrent episodes of perianal abscesses or the formation of anal fistulas due to the rupture of the abscess. After surgery for a perianal abscess, it is also important to pay attention to a light diet and regular bowel movements. It is crucial not to allow the stool to become too dry, nor to experience diarrhea. Recurrent diarrhea can lead to infection of the anal crypts, thereby causing perianal abscesses and local infections. Therefore, the care of a perianal abscess is very important; maintaining good dietary and bowel habits is essential to prevent recurrence of the abscess.

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.

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

Differences between minimally invasive surgery and traditional surgery for perianal abscess

In clinical practice, perianal abscesses are primarily due to infection and inflammation of the anal glands, which then leads to the formation of red and swollen masses around the anus, causing pain and swelling near the anus. If not treated surgically in a timely manner, it can lead to necrotizing fasciitis or anal fistulas. Minimally invasive surgery for perianal abscesses mainly aims to minimize damage to the anal sphincter during the procedure. Techniques such as loop drainage can be employed to preserve it, whereas traditional surgery generally involves larger incisions, but provides better drainage and has a lower recurrence rate post-operatively. However, leakage or moisture in the anal area can occur after traditional surgery. For minimally invasive surgery for perianal abscesses, there is a relatively higher recurrence rate since the drainage may not be as effective. However, the integrity of the anus post-surgery is better preserved and incidents of leakage are less frequent. The choice of surgical method should still be based on the severity of the perianal abscess.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
46sec home-news-image

Why is a perianal abscess so painful?

During the acute phase of a perianal abscess, the intense pain is mainly due to the formation of an abscess and pus pockets in the subcutaneous area around the anus. The pus within these cavities cannot rupture, causing localized skin nerves to experience pecking-like or jumping pain. The pain from a perianal abscess is generally unbearable for patients, necessitating prompt surgical treatment. The surgical approach for a perianal abscess primarily involves incision and drainage, followed by debridement of the abscess cavity. It is important to note that postoperative disinfection and dressing changes of the local wound are crucial to prevent false healing of the wound.