Anorectal Abscess Surgery: Before Your Surgery

What is anorectal abscess surgery?

Anorectal abscess surgery drains a pocket of pus that has built up in the anal or rectal area. The doctor will make a cut to open the abscess. The cut is called an incision. Then the doctor will clean out the abscess. The doctor may leave a piece of gauze packing in the incision to help it heal. Or the doctor may put a plastic tube in the abscess to help it drain.

Most people go home on the same day as the surgery. The pain that was caused by the abscess often gets better right after surgery. You may have some mild pain from the incision for several days. You will probably be able to go back to work and your normal activities within several days after your surgery. It may take several weeks or longer for the abscess to heal completely.

How do you prepare for surgery?

Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.

Preparing for surgery

• You may need to empty your colon with an enema or laxative. Your doctor will tell you how to do this.
• Understand exactly what surgery is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options.
• Tell your doctor ALL the medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies you take. Some may increase the risk of problems during your surgery. Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking any of them before the surgery and how soon to do it.
• If you take aspirin or some other blood thinner, ask your doctor if you should stop taking it before your surgery. Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do. These medicines increase the risk of bleeding.
• Make sure your doctor and the hospital have a copy of your advance directive. If you don’t have one, you may want to prepare one. It lets others know your health care wishes. It’s a good thing to have before any type of surgery or procedure.
• Be sure you have someone to take you home. Anesthesia and pain medicine will make it unsafe for you to drive or get home on your own.

What happens on the day of surgery?

• Follow the instructions exactly about when to stop eating and drinking. If you don't, your surgery may be canceled. If your doctor told you to take your medicines on the day of surgery, take them with only a sip of water.
• Follow your doctor's instructions about when to bathe or shower before your surgery. Do not apply lotions, perfumes, deodorants, or nail polish.
• Do not shave the surgical site yourself.
• Take off all jewelry and piercings. And take out contact lenses, if you wear them.

At the hospital or surgery center

• Bring a picture ID.
• You will be kept comfortable and safe by your anesthesia provider. The anesthesia may make you sleep. Or it may just numb the area being worked on.
• The surgery will take about 30 to 60 minutes.

¿Cuándo debe llamar al médico?

• Tiene preguntas o inquietudes.
• No entiende cómo debe prepararse para la cirugía.
• Se enferma antes de la cirugía (como fiebre, gripe o un resfriado).
• Necesita cambiar la fecha o ha cambiado de opinión sobre la cirugía.