title: Outcomes of Various Interventions for First-Time Perianal Abscesses in Children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In children treated surgically for first-time perianal abscesses, discovery and excision of concomitant fistulas may also be warranted.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate children of varying age after incision and drainage of first-time perianal abscesses, examining recurrences rates with and without search for a fistula.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review was conducted, analyzing children (ages 0-15 years) treated for first-time perianal abscesses at a tertiary pediatric surgical center, with a minimum follow-up of 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 104 patients subjected to 112 treatments for first-time perianal abscesses were eligible. Surgical procedures constituted 84 (75%) of treatments, searching for fistulas in 49 (58%). In 34 (69%), fistulas were confirmed and treated. In the surgically treated subset, the recurrence rate was higher if no attempt was made to exclude a fistula (46%), as opposed to confirmed absence of a fistula (27%) or concurrent fistulotomy (9%; p = 0.02). Younger patients showed a higher recurrence rate (12/26; 46%), compared with older counterparts (11/58; 19%) (p = 0.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In children surgically treated for first-time perianal abscess, recurrence rates appear to be lowered by locating and treating coexisting fistulas.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Institution of Clinical Science, Lund University, 221 85 Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Juth Karlsson
authors.affiliation: Institution of Clinical Science, Lund University, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Skåne University Hospital, 221 85 Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salö
authors.affiliation: Institution of Clinical Science, Lund University, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Skåne University Hospital, 221 85 Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Pernilla
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stenström
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000293:Adolescent; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011349:Proctitis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies