This page is for patients who have had surgery to treat a perianal abscess at North Bristol NHS Trust.
It has advice about what to expect after surgery, and when to seek further advice.
After the surgery
You will not be able to drive after having a general anaesthetic and will need to have an adult take you home.
Removal of packing/review wound advice
If you have had packing inserted during the operation, this will need to be removed before you are discharged or by your GP Practice Nurse within 24-48 hours. No further packing will be needed after this is removed.
General wound care advice
The abscess has been left open to allow drainage of infected material. Fluid and blood may leak from the wound, so wearing an absorbent pad may help this. A small amount is normal, if this does not stop, or is a large amount, please seek medical attention.
Bathing advice
To allowing healing, the area needs to be cleaned once or twice a day in the shower or bath. Use water to clean the area thoroughly, including inside the wound and avoid using soaps or perfumed products on the area until the wound has healed.
Please try and insert a finger into the wound to enable full cleaning. Sometimes the skin over the abscess cavity can ‘heal too quickly.’ Finger irrigation can allow the healing to be slower but more effective.
Pain management advice
This procedure can be quite painful, but this will improve within a few days. You will be discharged with painkillers. It important to take these regularly if you are experiencing discomfort. Follow the instructions on the prescription. Do not take more than the prescribed dose.
Going to the toilet
You can use the toilet as normal following the procedure. You will be discharged with laxatives to soften your stools (poo). You should wash the area after passing stool (pooing).
When to see GP
Please see your GP Practice Nurse for ongoing management of your wound.
When to go to Accident and Emergency
If following the procedure, you feel unwell, are in severe pain, have high temperatures, or fast heart rate please go to your nearest Accident and Emergency department.
Returning to work and activities
This depends on what work you do and how you feel.
You should not go swimming until the wound has healed.
You can drive when you can sit comfortably, handle a vehicle safely, and perform an emergency stop. You should inform your insurance provider before you start driving again.
Accessing follow-up
We will not usually need to see people who undergo incision and drainage of perianal abscess again. However, we may need to see you again if it is causing ongoing issues:
- If your wound is not healing by 8-10 weeks.
- Associated with another condition (please see below).
If this is the case, then please follow the guidance for getting an appointment with the surgical team:
- Email lowergisecretaries@nbt.nhs.uk
- Phone 0117 414 0835 or 0117 414 0838
- Available Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 16:00
Potential complications
Most perianal abscesses are caused by a blocked gland in the anus, however in small number of individuals (10-15%), perianal abscesses can also be present with another condition called an anal fistula. This is the formation of a tunnel between the skin and inside the anus/rectum. Fistulas require further investigations and treatment. Symptoms of anal fistula include:
- Skin irritation around the anus/rectum.
- Pain in the anus/rectum.
- Anal discharge.
- Pus or blood in your stool (poo).
If we suspect an anal fistula at the time of surgery, we will explain this and organise follow up for you. If your GP has concerns over an anal fistula, they can refer you to the Colorectal Outpatient Department for assessment. For more information on anal fistulas please see the NHS website Anal fistula - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
© North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published October 2024. Review due October 2027. NBT003689.
