Skip to main content
Log in

A prospective survey of 474 patients with anorectal abscess

  • Published:
Diseases of the Colon & Rectum

Summary

A prospective survey of patients with anorectal abscesses treated at Cook County Hospital over a 35-month period produced data on 474 patients. The peak incidence was in the third decade of life. Males were affected 1.76 times more frequently than females. Perianal abscess was the most common anatomic type (42 per cent), with ischiorectal abscess (20 per cent) being second. The supralevator space was involved in 7 per cent of the abscesses. Primary fistulotomy was performed when an anal fistula could be demonstrated (34 per cent).

Our standardized method of treatment, utilizing radial incisions for drainage, produced satisfactory results with a complication rate of 3 per cent, an in-hospital reoperation rate of 0.6 per cent, and an average hospital stay of 5.7 days

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Goligher JC: Surgery of the Anus, Rectum, and Colon. Ed 3, Springfield, Charles C Thomas, 1975, pp 192; 194–195

    Google Scholar 

  2. Lockhart-Mummery JP: Discussion on fistula-in-ano. Proc R Soc Med 22: 1331, 1929

    Google Scholar 

  3. Goligher JC, Ellis M, Pissidis AG: A critique of anal glandular infection in the aetiology and treatment of idiopathic anorectal abscesses and fistulas. Br J Surg 54: 977, 1967

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. McElwain JW, MacLean MD, Alexander RM, et al: Anorectal problems: Experience with primary fistulectomy for anorectal abscess, a report of 1,000 cases (symposium). Dis Colon Rectum 18: 646, 1975

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Ani AN, Solanke TF: Anal fistula: A review of 82 cases. Dis Colon Rectum 19: 51, 1976

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Read at the meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Atlanta, Georgia, June 10 to 14, 1979.

About this article

Cite this article

Read, D.R., Abcarian, H. A prospective survey of 474 patients with anorectal abscess. Dis Colon Rectum 22, 566–568 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02587008

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02587008

Keywords

Navigation