Abstract
Thrombosis and inflammation are common causes of anorectal emergencies. Anorectal suppuration can lead to live-threatening disease (Fournier Gangrene) if is not treated immediately. Formation of subsequent fistula is rare after sufficient drainage. Abscesses caused by acne inversa are in most cases chronic suppurative lesions in the anorectal region without fistulation to the anal canal. Definitive treatment consists in radical surgical excision. Thrombosis of hemorrhoidal or anal vein is very painful, but can be managed conservatively in most cases. Local excision can be considered in patient with large segmental thrombosis and short-time duration. Acute abscess may be a first clinical manifestation of pilonidal sinus. At an acute stage, only local limited drainage of the abscess should be performed. Definitive surgery should be consist in excision with primary closure by an off-midline procedure.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Zanotti C, Martinez-Puente C, Pascual I, Pascual M, et al. An assessment of the incidence of fistula-in-ano in four countries of the European Union. Int J Color Dis. 2007;22:1459–62.
Sainio P. Fistula-in-ano in a defined population. Incidence and epidemiological aspects. Ann Chir Gynaecol. 1984;73:219–24.
Whiteford MH. Perianal abscess/fistula disease. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2007;20:102–9.
Klosterhalfen B, Offner F, Vogel P, Kirkpatrick CJ. Anatomic nature and surgical significance of anal sinus and anal intramuscular glands. Dis Colon Rectum. 1991;34:156–60.
Abeysuriya V, Salgado LS, Samarasekera DN. The distribution of the anal glands and the variable regional occurrence of fistula-in-ano: is there a relationship? Tech Coloproctol. 2010;14:317–21.
Seow-Choen F, Ho JM. Histoanatomy of anal glands. Dis Colon Rectum. 1994;37:1215–8.
Lilius HG. Fistula-in-ano, an investigation of human foetal anal ducts and intramuscular glands and a clinical study of 150 patients. Acta Chir Scand Suppl. 1968;383:7–88.
Ommer A, Herold A, Berg E, Farke S, et al. S3-Leitlinie Kryptoglanduläre Analfistel. Coloproctology. 2011;33:295–324.
Ommer A, Herold A, Berg E, Farke S, et al. S3-leitlinie analabszess. Coloproctology. 2011;33:378–92.
Abcarian H. Acute suppurations of the anorectum. Surg Annu. 1976;8:305–33.
Ramanujam PS, Prasad ML, Abcarian H, Tan AB. Perianal abscesses and fistulas. A study of 1023 patients. Dis Colon Rectum. 1984;27:593–7.
Weber E, Buchmann P. Eröffnung anorectaler Abszesse - mit oder ohne Fistelspaltung. Chirurg. 1982;53:270–2.
Athanasiadis S, Fischbach N, Heumuller L, Marla B. Abscessexcision und primare Fistulektomie als Initialtherapie des periproktitischen Abscesses. Eine prospektive Analyse bei 122 Patienten. Chirurg. 1990;61:53–8.
Ommer A, Athanasiadis S, Happel M, Köhler A, et al. Die chirurgische Behandlung des anorektalen Abszesses Sinn und Unsinn der primären Fistelsuche. Coloproctology. 1999;21:161–9.
Knoefel WT, Hosch SB, Hoyer B, Izbicki JR. The initial approach to anorectal abscesses: fistulotomy is safe and reduces the chance of recurrences. Dig Surg. 2000;17:274–8.
Makowiec F, Jehle EC, Becker HD, Starlinger M. Perianal abscess in Crohn’s disease. Dis Colon Rectum. 1997;40:443–50.
Mardini HE, Schwartz DA. Treatment of perianal fistula and abscess: Crohn’s and non-Crohn’s. Curr Treat Options Gastroenterol. 2007;10:211–20.
Badgwell BD, Chang GJ, Rodriguez-Bigas MA, Smith K, et al. Management and outcomes of anorectal infection in the cancer patient. Ann Surg Oncol. 2009;16:2752–8.
Huang WS, Chin CC, Yeh CH, Lin PY, et al. The late onset of an anal abscess caused by a chicken bone that complicated stapled hemorrhoidopexy. Int J Color Dis. 2007;22:1291–2.
Devaraj B, Khabassi S, Cosman BC. Recent smoking is a risk factor for anal abscess and fistula. Dis Colon Rectum. 2011;54:681–5.
Adamo K, Sandblom G, Brannstrom F, Strigard K. Prevalence and recurrence rate of perianal abscess-a population-based study, Sweden 1997-2009. Int J Color Dis. 2016;31:669–73.
Wang D, Yang G, Qiu J, Song Y, et al. Risk factors for anal fistula: a case-control study. Tech Coloproctol. 2014;18:635–9.
Cioli VM, Gagliardi G, Pescatori M. Psychological stress in patients with anal fistula. Int J Color Dis. 2015;30:1123–9.
Herr CH, Williams JC. Supralevator anorectal abscess presenting as acute low back pain and sciatica. Ann Emerg Med. 1994;23:132–5.
Ommer A, Herold A, Berg E, Fürst A, et al. Clinical practice guideline: cryptoglandular anal fistula. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2011;108:707–13.
Ommer A, Herold A, Berg E, Fürst A, et al. German S3 guideline: anal abscess. Int J Color Dis. 2012;27:831–7.
Ommer A, Herold A, Berg E, Farke S, et al. S3-Leitlinie Kryptoglanduläre Analfistel - 2. revidierte Fassung. Coloproctology. 2016;39:16–66.
Ommer A, Herold A, Berg E, Farke S, et al. S3-Leitlinie Analabszess - 2.revidierte Fassung. Coloproctology. 2016;38:378–98.
Hämäläinen KP, Sainio AP. Incidence of fistulas after drainage of acute anorectal abscesses. Dis Colon Rectum. 1998;41:1357–61; discussion 1361–2.
Yilmazlar T, Ozturk E, Ozguc H, Ercan I, et al. Fournier’s gangrene: an analysis of 80 patients and a novel scoring system. Tech Coloproctol. 2010;14:217–23.
Onaca N, Hirshberg A, Adar R. Early reoperation for perirectal abscess: a preventable complication. Dis Colon Rectum. 2001;44:1469–73.
Chrabot CM, Prasad ML, Abcarian H. Recurrent anorectal abscesses. Dis Colon Rectum. 1983;26:105–8.
Yano T, Asano M, Matsuda Y, Kawakami K, et al. Prognostic factors for recurrence following the initial drainage of an anorectal abscess. Int J Color Dis. 2010;25:1495–8.
Tan KK, Liu X, Tsang CB, Koh DC. Identification of the internal anal opening and seton placement improves the outcome of deep postanal space abscess. Color Dis. 2012;15:598–601.
Tan KK, Koh DC, Tsang CB. Managing deep postanal space sepsis via an intersphincteric approach: our early experience. Ann Coloproctol. 2013;29:55–9.
Ommer A, Wenger FA, Rolfs T, Walz MK. Continence disorders after anal surgery—a relevant problem? Int J Color Dis. 2008;23:1023–31.
Rizzo JA, Naig AL, Johnson EK. Anorectal abscess and fistula-in-ano: evidence-based management. Surg Clin North Am. 2010;90:45–68, Table of Contents.
Hebjorn M, Olsen O, Haakansson T, Andersen B. A randomized trial of fistulotomy in perianal abscess. Scand J Gastroenterol. 1987;22:174–6.
Ho YH, Tan M, Chui CH, Leong A, et al. Randomized controlled trial of primary fistulotomy with drainage alone for perianal abscesses. Dis Colon Rectum. 1997;40:1435–8.
Schouten WR, van Vroonhoven TJ. Treatment of anorectal abscess with or without primary fistulectomy. Results of a prospective randomized trial. Dis Colon Rectum. 1991;34:60–3.
Tang CL, Chew SP, Seow-Choen F. Prospective randomized trial of drainage alone vs. drainage and fistulotomy for acute perianal abscesses with proven internal opening. Dis Colon Rectum. 1996;39:1415–7.
Oliver I, Lacueva FJ, Perez Vicente F, Arroyo A, et al. Randomized clinical trial comparing simple drainage of anorectal abscess with and without fistula track treatment. Int J Color Dis. 2003;18:107–10.
Fucini C. One stage treatment of anal abscesses and fistulas. A clinical appraisal on the basis of two different classifications. Int J Color Dis. 1991;6:12–6.
Aboulian A, Kaji AH, Kumar RR. Early result of ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract for fistula-in-Ano. Dis Colon Rectum. 2011;54:289–92.
Garg PK, Jain BK. Seton drainage in high anal fistula. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2011;26(11):1495.
Mitalas LE, van Wijk JJ, Gosselink MP, Doornebosch P, et al. Seton drainage prior to transanal advancement flap repair: useful or not? Int J Color Dis. 2010;25:1499–502.
Lohsiriwat V, Yodying H, Lohsiriwat D. Incidence and factors influencing the development of fistula-in-ano after incision and drainage of perianal abscesses. J Med Assoc Thail. 2011;93:61–5.
Sözener U, Gedik E, Kessaf Aslar A, Ergun H, et al. Does adjuvant antibiotic treatment after drainage of anorectal abscess prevent development of anal fistulas? A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter study. Dis Colon Rectum. 2011;54:923–9.
Hamadani A, Haigh PI, Liu IL, Abbas MA. Who is at risk for developing chronic anal fistula or recurrent anal sepsis after initial perianal abscess? Dis Colon Rectum. 2009;52:217–21.
Cox SW, Senagore AJ, Luchtefeld MA, Mazier WP. Outcome after incision and drainage with fistulotomy for ischiorectal abscess. Am Surg. 1997;63:686–9.
Tonkin DM, Murphy E, Brooke-Smith M, Hollington P, et al. Perianal abscess: a pilot study comparing packing with nonpacking of the abscess cavity. Dis Colon Rectum. 2004;47:1510–4.
Llera JL, Levy RC. Treatment of cutaneous abscess: a double-blind clinical study. Ann Emerg Med. 1985;14:15–9.
Macfie J, Harvey J. The treatment of acute superficial abscesses: a prospective clinical trial. Br J Surg. 1977;64:264–6.
Nunoo-Mensah JW, Balasubramaniam S, Wasserberg N, Artinyan A, et al. Fistula-in-ano: do antibiotics make a difference? Int J Color Dis. 2006;21:441–3.
Stewart MP, Laing MR, Krukowski ZH. Treatment of acute abscesses by incision, curettage and primary suture without antibiotics: a controlled clinical trial. Br J Surg. 1985;72:66–7.
Bechara FG, Hartschuh W. [Acne inversa]. Hautarzt. 2010;61:39–46.
van der Zee HH, Prens EP. Preliminary findings suggest hidradenitis suppurativa may be due to defective follicular support. Br J Dermatol. 2013;168:926–7.
Grandel M, Hetzer F. Acne inversa. Coloproctology. 2012;34:57–68.
von Laffert M, Stadie V, Wohlrab J, Marsch WC. Hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa: bilocated epithelial hyperplasia with very different sequelae. Br J Dermatol. 2011;164:367–71.
von Laffert M, Helmbold P, Wohlrab J, Fiedler E, et al. Hidradenitis suppurativa (acne inversa): early inflammatory events at terminal follicles and at interfollicular epidermis. Exp Dermatol. 2010;19:533–7.
van der Zee HH, Laman JD, Boer J, Prens EP. Hidradenitis suppurativa: viewpoint on clinical phenotyping, pathogenesis and novel treatments. Exp Dermatol. 2012;21:735–9.
Al-Ali FM, Ratnamala U, Mehta TY, Naveed M, et al. Hidradenitis suppurativa (or acne inversa) with autosomal dominant inheritance is not linked to chromosome 1p21.1-1q25.3 region. Exp Dermatol. 2010;19:851–3.
Ingram JR. The aetiology of acne inversa: an evolving story. Br J Dermatol. 2011;165:231–2.
de Winter K, van der Zee HH, Prens EP. Is mechanical stress an important pathogenic factor in hidradenitis suppurativa? Exp Dermatol. 2012;21:176–7.
Blok JL, van Hattem S, Jonkman MF, Horvath B. Systemic therapy with immunosuppressive agents and retinoids in hidradenitis suppurativa: a systematic review. Br J Dermatol. 2013;168:243–52.
Fischer AH, Haskin A, Okoye GA. Patterns of antimicrobial resistance in lesions of hidradenitis suppurativa. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;76(2):309–313.e2.
Ring HC, Riis Mikkelsen P, Miller IM, Jenssen H, et al. The bacteriology of hidradenitis suppurativa: a systematic review. Exp Dermatol. 2015;24:727–31.
Wollina U, Tilp M, Meseg A, Schonlebe J, et al. Management of severe anogenital acne inversa (hidradenitis suppurativa). Dermatol Surg. 2011;38:110–7.
Halverson A. Hemorrhoids. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2007;20:77–85.
Trompetto M, Clerico G, Cocorullo GF, Giordano P, et al. Evaluation and management of hemorrhoids: Italian society of colorectal surgery (SICCR) consensus statement. Tech Coloproctol. 2015;19:567–75.
Herold A, Joos A, Bussen D. [Operations for hemorrrhoids: indications and techniques]. Chirurg. 2012;83:1040–8.
Jongen J, Bach S, Stubinger SH, Bock JU. Excision of thrombosed external hemorrhoid under local anesthesia: a retrospective evaluation of 340 patients. Dis Colon Rectum. 2003;46:1226–31.
Jongen J, Bach S, Stuebinger SH, Bock J-U. Excision einer Perianalvenenthrombose oder eines segmetaeren thrombosierten Anal-/Hämorrhoidalprolapses. Coloproctology. 2002;24:243–52.
Greenspon J, Williams SB, Young HA, Orkin BA. Thrombosed external hemorrhoids: outcome after conservative or surgical management. Dis Colon Rectum. 2004;47:1493–8.
Jongen J, Dubinskaya A, Peleikis HG, Eberstein A, et al. Konservative und operative Therapie der Analvenenthrombose. Coloproctology. 2009;31:93–8.
Jacobs D. Clinical practice. Hemorrhoids. N Engl J Med. 2014;371:944–51.
Pillant-Le Moult H, Aubert M, de Parades V. Classical treatment of hemorrhoids. J Visc Surg. 2015;152:S3–9.
Kersting S, Herold A, Jung KP, Berg E. [Complication management following hemorrhoid operations]. Chirurg. 2015;86:726–33.
Ommer A, Berg E, Breitkopf C, Bussen D, et al. S3-Leitlinie: sinus pilonidalis. Coloproctology. 2014;36:272–322.
Iesalnieks I, Ommer A, Petersen S, Doll D, et al. German national guideline on the management of pilonidal disease. Langenbeck’s Arch Surg. 2016;401:599–609.
Sondenaa K, Andersen E, Nesvik I, Soreide JA. Patient characteristics and symptoms in chronic pilonidal sinus disease. Int J Color Dis. 1995;10:39–42.
Doll D, Friederichs J, Dettmann H, Boulesteix A-L, et al. Time and rate of sinus formation in pilonidal sinus disease. Int J Color Dis. 2008;23:359–64.
Stelzner F. Die Ursache des Pilonidalsinus und der Pyodermia fistulans sinifica. Langenbecks Arch Chir. 1984;362:105–18.
Bascom J. Pilonidal disease: origin from follicles of hairs and results of follicle removal as treatment. Surgery. 1980;87:567–72.
Patey DH. A reappraisal of the acquired theory of sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus and an assessment of its influence on surgical practice. Br J Surg. 1969;56:463–6.
Dahl HD, Henrich MH. [Light and scanning electron microscopy study of the pathogenesis of pilonidal sinus and anal fistula]. Langenbecks Arch Chir. 1992;377:118–24.
Benedetto AV. Commentary: hair and pilonidal sinus disease. Dermatol Surg. 2010;36:92–3.
Arda IS, Guney LH, Sevmis S, Hicsonmez A. High body mass index as a possible risk factor for pilonidal sinus disease in adolescents. World J Surg. 2005;29:469–71.
Akinci OF, Bozer M, Uzunkoy A, Duzgun SA, et al. Incidence and aetiological factors in pilonidal sinus among Turkish soldiers. Eur J Surg. 1999;165:339–42.
Bolandparvaz S, Moghadam Dizaj P, Salahi R, Paydar S, et al. Evaluation of the risk factors of pilonidal sinus: a single center experience. Turk J Gastroenterol. 2012;23:535–7.
Corman M. Classic articles in colonic and rectal surgery. Louis A. Buie, M.D. 1890-1975: jeep disease (pilonidal disease of mechanized warfare). Dis Colon Rectum. 1982;25:384–90.
Doll D, Friederichs J, Dusel W, Fend F, et al. Surgery for asymptomatic pilonidal sinus disease. Int J Color Dis. 2008;23:839–44.
Doll D, Novotny A, Wietelmann K, Matevossian E, et al. Factors influencing surgical decisions in chronic pilonodal sinus disease. Eur Surg. 2009;41(2):60–5.
Steele SR, Perry WB, Mills S, Buie WD. Practice parameters for the management of pilonidal disease. Dis Colon Rectum. 2013;56:1021–7.
Jensen SL, Harling H. Prognosis after simple incision and drainage for a first-episode acute pilonidal abscess. Br J Surg. 1988;75:60–1.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Ommer, A., Noll, M., Fürst, A. (2019). Updates in the Management of Anorectal Abscess and Inflammatory or Thrombotic Process. In: Aseni, P., De Carlis, L., Mazzola, A., Grande, A.M. (eds) Operative Techniques and Recent Advances in Acute Care and Emergency Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95114-0_42
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95114-0_42
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-95113-3
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-95114-0
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)