[Surgical alternatives in the treatment of anal abscesses]

Anal abscess is a pus collection localized in some of the regions around the anus and rectum. We reviewed the experience in the management of abscesses in Coloproctology Unit at the Gastroenterology Service in the General Hospital of Mexico.

This is a retrospective, longitudinal and descriptive study in patients diagnosed as carriers of an anal abscess during the period from January 1998 to December 2002.

During this period, 9,233 first consultations took place, 241 fulfilled inclusion criteria: 197 (81.74%) were male and 44 (18.25%) were female. Perianal abscesses affected 156 patients (64.73%), 51 ischiorectal abscesses (21.16%), 17 horseshoe (7.05%), 14 intersphincteric (5.80%) and 3 has supralevator abscesses (1.24%).

There were 96.68% nonspecific anal abscesses. Simple drainage is an initial adequate management. Most patients (73%) were attended in the office. Pain was the most common symptom (99%). Perianal and ischiorectal localizations were the most frequently classified and there was no mortality.