title: [Surgical alternatives in the treatment of anal abscesses].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anal abscess is a pus collection localized in some of the regions around the anus and rectum. We reviewed the experience in the management of abscesses in Coloproctology Unit at the Gastroenterology Service in the General Hospital of Mexico.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective, longitudinal and descriptive study in patients diagnosed as carriers of an anal abscess during the period from January 1998 to December 2002.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During this period, 9,233 first consultations took place, 241 fulfilled inclusion criteria: 197 (81.74%) were male and 44 (18.25%) were female. Perianal abscesses affected 156 patients (64.73%), 51 ischiorectal abscesses (21.16%), 17 horseshoe (7.05%), 14 intersphincteric (5.80%) and 3 has supralevator abscesses (1.24%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There were 96.68% nonspecific anal abscesses. Simple drainage is an initial adequate management. Most patients (73%) were attended in the office. Pain was the most common symptom (99%). Perianal and ischiorectal localizations were the most frequently classified and there was no mortality.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Coloproctología, Servicio de Gastroenterología, Hospital General de México. luischarua@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Charúa-Guindic
authors.forename: José Angel
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cantú-Marroquín
authors.forename: Rosa Martha
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Osorio-Hernández
authors.forename: Teresita
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Navarrete-Cruces
authors.forename: Octavio
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Avendaño-Espinosa
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001004:Anus Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies