Indications:
Peri-anal abscess (an infection next to or in the area around the anus) – Pus builds up under the skin causing swelling and pain. It can sometimes start to drain pus or blood-stained fluid and there is sometimes a connection with the inside of the rectum (back passage).
Procedure:
During the procedure the pus is let out through a cut in the skin next to the anus. The surgeon will try to determine if there is a fistula or tunnel connecting the inside of the anus with the abscess cavity. The wound is then washed out and usually it is left open without any stitches. The surgeon may decide to leave a plug made of gauze or sponge in the wound to be removed the following day. Sometimes antibiotics are given to help the healing.
- There is a chance of damage to the circular anal muscle.
- During the operation it may be necessary to excise necrotic or infected tissue leaving a large wound.
- Later complications may occur such as an anal stricture or narrowing of the anus opening.
- The chance of another abscess forming at a later stage is also recognised.
After your consultation:
- Obtain authorization from your medical aid and book your bed for your hospital admission.
- Carefully read through pre-operative information provided.
Day before surgery:
- Do not eat/drink after 22h00, the night before your surgery, unless otherwise specified by your surgeon or anaesthetist (you should be fasting for at least 6 hours before the procedure for solids but you are allowed to take clear liquids up to two hours before your procedure).
Day of surgery:
- Arrive for admission at indicated time on ‘Code & Consent’ sheet.
- Change into theatre attire, remove all valuable belongings.
Approximately 20 minutes.
Duration of hospital stay:
- Usually this is a day procedure; you can go home on the same day (dependent on pain management, general state of patient and first bowel movement). If the abscess is very big, you may need to stay for another day or two.
Activities:
- Refrain from strenuous activities (incl. exercise) for at least 2-4 weeks post-operatively. You can perform routine activities as soon as you get home. You may find sitting down for long periods can be painful for about a week after the procedure.
Back to work:
- Sick leave required post-operatively is approximately 10-14 days.
Some pain and discomfort post operatively may be expected following any operation, but the following measures are used to lessen the pain experienced:
- Warming devises in theatre as well as warm intravenous fluids.
- Intra-operative pain medication through the drip.
- Post-operative medication through the drip, please inform the nurses if you are in pain so that medication will be administered to you.
- As close to one week after discharge as possible. Please contact the rooms to schedule an appointment.
More procedures performed by Dr Jeske
A SKIN INCISION IS MADE AND THE CONTENTS OF THE ABSCESS IS DRAINED.
THE FISTULA TRACT IS IDENTIFIED AND IS OPENED ALONG ITS LENGTH, AND THE EXPOSED INSIDE OF THE TRACT IS THEN CLEANED OUT.
AN OPERATION TO REMOVE AN APPENDIX THAT IS INFLAMED/SWOLLEN/HAS RUPTURED/HAS FORMED AN ABSCESS.
THE COMMON BILE DUCT (CBD – THE MAIN TUBE CARRYING BILE FROM THE LIVER TO THE INTESTINE) IS OPENED UP. ANY GALLSTONES WITHIN THE DUCT CAUSING A BLOCKAGE CAN BE REMOVED.
PTC is a procedure performed by a radiologist (specialist X-ray doctor) who takes X-ray pictures of the bile ducts which are tubes inside the liver.
