| General Illness Information |
Common Name: |
Anorectal
Abscess |
|
Medical Term:
|
Anorectal Abscess |
| Description: |
An
abscess (collection of pus due to infection) that develops in the
area around the anus and rectum. They occur more frequently in men
and in people with digestive diseases. They may occur on the edge
of the anal opening or deeper in the rectum.
|
| Causes: |
Common
bacteria such as staphylococci and E. coli are most common cause.
Fungal infections sometime cause abscesses.
|
| Prevention: |
Avoid
constipation
Don't
use enemas. |
| Signs
& Symptoms |
|
|
*
Rectal redness.
|
|
*
Swelling in superficial abscesses.
|
|
*
Rectal tenderness.
|
|
*
Throbbing pain.
|
|
* Fever
and other toxic symptoms with deep abscesses.
|
|
* Pain,
when having bowel movement.
|
|
|
| Risk Factors |
|
Injections for internal
hemorrhoids
Enema tip abrasions
Puncture wounds from
eggshells or fish bones
Foreign objects
Prolapsed hemorrhoid
Inflammatory bowel
disease
Chronic granulomatous
disease
Immunodeficiency
disorders
Hematologic
malignancies.
|
| Diagnosis & Treatment |
|
This is a clinical diagnosis.
Blood
tests may show elevated white cell count.
Proctoscopy
or sigmoidoscopy may be performed sometimes to establish a
diagnosis.
|
| General
Measures: |
|
|
* Treatment
involves surgery to open and drain the abscess.
|
|
* Local anesthetic
used during surgical procedure. For abscess deeper in
rectum, a general anesthetic is frequently used.
|
|
* Sitz baths every
2-4 hours after surgery. Sit in a bathtub with 6-8
inches of warm water, for 20 minutes.
|
|
* Heating pad,
heat lamp or warm compress as needed for pain.
|
|
* Prevent
constipation. Don't suppress the urge to have a bowel
movement, even though you may anticipate pain.
Constipation can increase pressure at the wound site.
|
|
* Follow doctor's
instructions for dressing changes and keeping surgical
area clean.
|
|
|
|
|
| Medications: |
|
Antibiotics - only for toxicity
Stool softening laxatives.
|
|
| Activity: |
|
Resume work and normal activity as
soon as possible
|
|
| Diet: |
|
An
increase in fiber in the diet may help reduce risk of
constipation |
|
| Possible
Complications : |
|
Possible anorectal
fistula.
Possible rectovaginal fistula
Fecal incontinence due to
rupture through sphincter muscle
Recurrence of abscess if
underlying cause not corrected
|
|
| Prognosis |
|
Slow recovery depending
on extent of disease and concurrent illnesses.
Complete healing by 6
months if no complications
|
| Other |
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