Anorectal abscess

Adequate drainage of the abscess should result in a prompt improvement in the symptoms.[17]Onaca N, Hirshberg A, Adar R. Early reoperation for perirectal abscess: a preventable complication. Dis Colon Rectum. 2001 Oct;44(10):1469-73. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11598476?tool=bestpractice.com  

Recurrence

Around 30 to 50% of patients with anorectal abscesses develop an anal fistula in the months or years following drainage, which may cause recurrent anorectal abscesses.[4]Gaertner WB, Burgess PL, Davids JS, et al. The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons clinical practice guidelines for the management of anorectal abscess, fistula-in-ano, and rectovaginal fistula. Dis Colon Rectum. 2022 Aug 1;65(8):964-85. https://www.doi.org/10.1097/DCR.0000000000002473 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35732009?tool=bestpractice.com [27]Vasilevsky CA, Gordon PH. The incidence of recurrent abscesses or fistula-in-ano following anorectal suppuration. Dis Colon Rectum. 1984 Feb;27(2):126-30. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6697831?tool=bestpractice.com [36]Hamalainen KP, Sainio AP. Incidence of fistulas after drainage of acute anorectal abscesses. Dis Colon Rectum. 1998 Nov;41(11):1357-61. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9823799?tool=bestpractice.com Recurrence of the anorectal abscess will occur in about 11% of patients.[27]Vasilevsky CA, Gordon PH. The incidence of recurrent abscesses or fistula-in-ano following anorectal suppuration. Dis Colon Rectum. 1984 Feb;27(2):126-30. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6697831?tool=bestpractice.com [36]Hamalainen KP, Sainio AP. Incidence of fistulas after drainage of acute anorectal abscesses. Dis Colon Rectum. 1998 Nov;41(11):1357-61. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9823799?tool=bestpractice.com These recurrent abscesses occur when the fistula becomes occluded from impaction of food matter in the fistula tract or from healing of the skin over the external opening of the fistula.