This article was presented as a podium presentation in the Tripartite Colorectal Meeting in Cairns, Queensland, Australia, 3–7 July 2011, and as a poster in the ASCRS Annual Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 14–18 May 2011.
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Original Article
Identification of the internal anal opening and seton placement improves the outcome of deep postanal space abscess
Article first published online: 25 APR 2013
DOI: 10.1111/codi.12076
© 2012 The Authors. Colorectal Disease © 2012 The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland
Additional Information
How to Cite
Tan, K.-K., Liu, X., Tsang, C. B. and Koh, D. C. (2013), Identification of the internal anal opening and seton placement improves the outcome of deep postanal space abscess. Colorectal Disease, 15: 598–601. doi: 10.1111/codi.12076
Publication History
- Issue published online: 25 APR 2013
- Article first published online: 25 APR 2013
- Accepted manuscript online: 26 OCT 2012 03:29AM EST
- Manuscript Accepted: 17 AUG 2012
- Manuscript Received: 10 APR 2012
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- Deep postanal space;
- internal opening;
- abscess;
- treatment outcome;
- seton
Abstract
Aim
This study aimed to determine if successful seton placement at the initial drainage procedure improves outcomes in the management of deep postanal space abscesses.
Method
A retrospective review was performed of all patients who underwent initial drainage of a DPA space abscess between December 2002 and August 2010. A seton was placed through the internal opening if it could be identified.
Results
Thirty-two patients of median age 41 (21–64) years formed the study group. Twenty-four (75.0%) had a seton inserted at the initial drainage procedure. The patients underwent a total of 56 operations. The median interval from the initial to the final operation was 5 (2–18) months with 17 (70.8%) patients having the final operation within 6 months. In the 8 (25.0%) patients whose internal opening could not be found, 26 operations were required with a median interval from the initial to the final surgery of 11 (3–24) months. Patients who had a seton successfully inserted at drainage underwent significantly earlier definitive surgery and required fewer operations (P < 0.038).
Conclusion
Identification of an internal opening with placement of a seton at the initial drainage procedure is associated with earlier definitive surgery and fewer operations.