That pain and discomfort you feel when you have a bowel movement may be more serious than a hemorrhoid; it may be an anal or rectal abscess. Depending on the location of the abscess, this painful accumulation of pus may be called a rectal, a perirectal, an anal, or a perianal abscess. These types of abscesses cannot be treated with medication alone and they require surgical intervention. If left untreated, anal or rectal abscesses can lead to more serious health issues if the infection spreads into your bloodstream.
Once your personal physician has confirmed your abscess through a physical examination, you will be referred to a Glendora General Surgeon to have the infection removed. During an office consultation, your surgeon will determine the most effective procedure for your personal situation. If the abscess is near the rectal opening and visible, your surgeon may elect to drain the abscess in his office or an outpatient clinic. If the abscess is deeper within the anus or high up in the rectum, you may need to have your surgery performed in a hospital with the assistance of an anesthesiologist.
In Office/Outpatient Clinic Surgery
If your abscess is visible and not very large and is treated in the surgeon’s office or an outpatient clinic, you will be given a local anesthetic, and the surgery site will be dumb so that you will not feel any pain. An incision is made over or around the infected lump and forceps are used to open the incision, wide enough to allow all the pus to drain out. If there is any thickened debris, your surgeon will use the forceps or a finger to break up the matter so that it can drain out. The cavity will be flushed out with a sterile irrigant to clean out any remaining contamination and then packed with a sterile gauze. A small drainage tube may be left in place for several days to ensure all the infection is removed. The drainage tube will be removed during your follow up appointment. The procedure will require about 30 minutes for completion.
Hospital Surgery
If your abscess is large or located deeper in the anal canal, it will be treated in a hospital. You will be given a general anesthetic so that you will be asleep during the operation and not feel any pain. An incision is made in the skin over or around the infected lump. Forceps are used to open the incision, wide enough to allow all the pus to drain out. If there is any thickened debris, your surgeon will use the forceps or a finger to break up the matter so that it can drain out. The cavity will be flushed out with a sterile irrigant to clean out any remaining contamination and then packed with a sterile gauze. A small drainage tube may be left in place for several days to ensure all the infection is removed. The drainage tube will be removed during your follow up appointment. The procedure will require about 30 minutes for completion. If you have any medical conditions such as diabetes or a weakened immune system, a short hospital stay may be required for observation after surgery.
