Eur J Pediatr Surg 2018; 28(04): 373-377
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1603092
Original Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Treatment of First-Time Perianal Abscess in Childhood, Balance Recurrence and Fistula Formation Rate with Medical Intervention

Zhenhua Gong
1   Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
,
Meilin Han
1   Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
,
Yibo Wu
1   Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
,
Xiong Huang
1   Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
,
Wei-Jue Xu
1   Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
,
Zhibzo Lv
1   Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
› Institutsangaben
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

14. Februar 2017

04. April 2017

Publikationsdatum:
31. Mai 2017 (online)

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Abstract

Purpose Because of differences in therapy for first-time perianal abscess, a wide range of recurrences and/or development of fistula-in-ano (RF) rates have been reported. The indication for determining when surgical intervention is needed remains obscure and controversial. This retrospective study sought to compare outcomes of conservative treatment with those after incision and drainage (ID) to determine the optimal time for surgical intervention.

Methods A total of 697 patients with first-time perianal abscess were included in this study. The median patient age at the time of onset was 129 days (range: 5–5,110 days). The median follow-up period was 395 days (range: 120–760 days).

Results Of the 697 patients with first-time perianal abscess, 355 (50.9%) patients who received conservative treatment had 12.7% (45/355) RF rate, which is less than that of abscesses treated with ID (24.6%, 72/297; p < 0.001). The median course was 23 (2,466) days, which did not differ significantly from that of abscesses with ID (18 [3,510] days) (p = 0.609). Forty-six (6.6%) patients with abscesses that perforated spontaneously had 10.9% (5/46) RF rate, which was less than that of abscesses with ID (p = 0.019), and the median course was 9 (3,316) days, which was shorter than that of abscesses with ID (p = 0.04).

Conclusion Conservative treatment is a safe and effective technique for most first-time perianal abscesses with less recurrence and a lower fistula formation rate. Incision must be performed when an abscess is likely to spread or shows no sign of spontaneous perforation.