Operation
– Incision and drainage of a perianal abscess.
When should you incise and drain the abscess?
– Immune-compromised patients (transplant, dialysis)
– Diabetics
– Septic patient (fever, tachycardia…)
– Significant cellulitis
Incision and drainage
How long does the hospitalisation last?
The length of hospitalisation varies from one day to several days, depending on the size of the abscess, soft tissue infection and the patient’s general condition.
Wound care
It is important to help the infected fluid out of the wound. The skin should not close before the wound is completely filled with granulation tissue from the bottom up, otherwise a new abscess will form.
If no wick is used after surgery, the wound should be kept open by applying gentle traction to the wound edges to allow wound fluid to drain out.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are not routinely administered after incision and drainage of a perianal abscess.
Antibiotics are prescribed if :
7,6% (first 10 days).
40-50% of patients develop a fistula within the first 12 months after drainage and incision of the abscess.
Contact your surgeon or GP, or go to the emergency room:
If certain symptoms seem abnormal to you contact your doctor.
If this is not possible, you can contact avec your surgeon.
If you are unable to contact your GP or your surgeon, go to the emergency department at St Elizabeth Hospital in Uccle.
The abscess is incised outside the anal sphincter. The risk of incontinence is extremely low.