Management of perianal abscess and fistula-in-ano in infants and children
Jinyoung Park
Abstract
Perianal abscesses and fistula-in-ano are common diseases in infants and children that develop from infection in abnormally deep crypts of Morgagni. They are often encountered in infants younger than 12 months and display an extreme male predominance. This sex-based difference may be explained by androgen excess or androgen-sensitive glands. 1) The abscess typically presents as a fluctuant tender mass in the perianal region, most commonly in the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions. As many as 20%-85% perianal abscesses are reported to progress to a fistula-in-ano. 1) Therefore, perianal abscess and fistulain-ano could be considered the same disease in continuity. The fistula-in-ano is commonly located lateral to the anus rather than at the midline. ]