A 48-year-old member asked:
What are the differences between anorectal fistula and abscess?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Eduardo Krajewskianswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 23 years experience
Differences : Usually, a perianal abscess is caused by an underlying fistula. A fistula is a tunnel that communicates the inside of the Anus and the outside skin. The entrance is inside the anus and the exit is at the skin. When the exit is closed, the Pus collects beneath the skin forming and abscess and it usually ruptures or is open by a physician. Fistulas have a 50% healing rate after drainage of the absce
3.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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A 35-year-old member asked:
Can any doc tell me what's the difference between anorectal fistula and abscess?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Robert Cloudanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 42 years experience
Anal abscess/fistula: true perianal abscess arise from anal glands just up inside the anus. The gland gets blocked but pressure builds up and a tract is formed leading out from the gland to the perirectal spaces (anal fistula). An abscess forms . When the abscess is drained the tract (or fistula) dries up 50% of the time. In the other 50% it remains as an anal fistula, manifesting as a chroninc draining sinus .
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Feb 28, 2018
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