Anal abscess & fistula

Anal abscess or more accurately “perianal” abscess is where you get an abscess or spot around your pack passage.

This is very common and almost as common as getting a spot on your face or anywhere else on your body.

Overview

Anal abscess

They present as a painful lump around your back passage. They may burst themselves releasing pus and blood or you may have to have it incised with a small operation.

The majority of abscesses heal fully after drainage. Some however result in a small hole around the back passage that discharges blood and/or pus. This usually means you have a fistula.

Abscess

Anal fistula

Sometimes people present with a fistula having never had an abscess.

Fistulas around the anus can be quite unpleasant for you. The area is often very sore and moist. Underwear is often stained and you may feel as if you are “never clean” down there. Fistulas can also mean you get recurrent abscesses in the area.

An anal fistula is where there is an abnormal connection between the inside of your back passage and the hole on the outside that is discharging pus and blood. This means there will be a hole somewhere along the inside of your back passage. It is important to get a fistula treated especially if you are getting recurrent abscesses.

Read more about Anal Fistula

Anal Fissures

When I see you in clinic I will examine the area thoroughly, I may do a rigid sigmoidoscopy in clinic to assess fully. Sometimes fistulas are simple and I may recommend surgery. Usually I will want to find out more about the fistula before deciding on the most appropriate treatment and this may involve a MRI scan.

The vast majority of fistulae are very simple and can be treated with a small operation. This involves a general anaethetic (being put to sleep) and laying open or cutting open the fistula. This means the fistula will heal and no further treatment is necessary. This is only suitable for the most simple of fistula where only a small amount of anal muscle is involved (and the hole on the inside of your back passage is low down on the muscle). Where the hole on the inside of your back passage is higher up it is not possible to cut the fistula as your back passage will be cut and you will loose control. In this situation I will place a plastic string (seton) into the fistula – this means that all the bacteria and “muck” from the inside of your back passage does not get trapped in the fistula (because it slides down the plastic string to the outside world and you will stop getting recurrent infections). This will also involve a short anaesthetic and a day case operation. Once the infections have settled we will explore more permanent solutions in detail in clinic. Read More

Videos about anal abscess and fistula

What exactly is an anal fistula?

​What is an anal fistula? Are they common?

How is an anal fistula assessed?

How is an anal fistula assessed?

Patient Testimonials

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Mr Peravali showed me great respect and impressed me right from my first appointment gaining my full trust. I was so pleased knowing I was in safe hands. His knowledge and reputation in what he does is superb. I very much appreciated Mr Peravali visiting me the very next morning after the operation to check and ensure everything was ok. The information he provided me about before, during and after the operation was great and very useful. I thank sincerely Mr Peravali for taking good care of me.

Mr Peravali was extremely professional whilst being approachable to ask any questions about the operation and recovery. His supporting team made me feel like I was in safe hands, again exchanges of conversations between us made me very relaxed.

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I wish to express my thanks to you and your staff for the high standard of clinical and patient care I received. The pain and discomfort from the hernias have gone and I now feel so much better after the operation.

Thank you so much and I have no hesitation in recommending your skills to other people with similar problems.

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We particularly welcomed your well needed lightness and laughter.  On the day of the surgery you took time to talk to my mom as well as myself and my sister which really helped us all. My mom has made a fantastic recovery and is better than ever – thank you once again and we will be for ever indebted to you.

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We are writing to say how pleased we are with Dr Rajeev Peravali who saved my mum’s life in March when she was admitted to Hospital with severe abdominal pain. She had an ileostomy at the time. He subsequently reversed her ileostomy and has had an excellent outcome once again thanks to Dr Peravali.

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I am writing to express my gratitude for the treatment I received at your hands. Everyone was so wonderful. The day I was admitted to hospital was one of the toughest times in my life. The personal attention and kindness shown by you, coupled by the caring attitude of the hospital staff helped me overcome my fears about surgery.

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I felt very relaxed and confident with Mr Peravali’s explanation of the procedure to take place. After the procedure I am really pleased with the outcome .could not have been better no pain no inflammation. Very very pleased thank you.

 

 

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Mr Peravali was very approachable made me feel at ease, wanted to help with my pain and felt he meant it. Was easy to speak to and be empathetic. Had been putting off seeing anyone but if I had known what the consultant was like I would have gone sooner.

 

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Wearing hearing aids makes life a bit more complicated , Mr Peravali was very patient with me and made sure I understood everything . Very efficient and gave me a lot of confidence about the operation . Also found time to pass a few pleasant remarks .

My consultant shows that he's competent and is experienced in what he does. I think he was being thorough with the procedure to make sure I was in the clear. Thanks again to Mr Peravali

The consultant was very good. He came to talk me through the procedure before hand and asked if I had any questions. He also came after the procedure and told me how it went again asking if I had any questions. He also explained how my recovery should go. Thank you Mr Peravali

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Spire Little Aston Hospital
Little Aston Hall Drive
Sutton Coldfield
Birmingham B74 3UP

(0121) 446 1684

BMI The Edgbaston Hospital
22 Somerset Rd
West Midlands
Birmingham B15 2QQ

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Priory Road Edgbaston
West Midlands
Birmingham B5 7UJ

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