Operative Incision and Drainage for Perirectal Abscesses: What Are Risk Factors for Prolonged Length of Stay, Reoperation, and Readmission?

"Emergency Room Incision and Drainage of Perirectal Abscess is Equivalent to Incision and Drainage in the Operating Room"

BACKGROUND

Current guidelines for management of anorectal abscesses make no recommendations for operative vs bedside incision and drainage (I&D). The purpose of this study was to determine if management in the operating room is necessary to adequately drain anorectal abscesses and prevent short-term complications for patients presenting to the emergency department (ED).

METHODS

Patients with perirectal abscesses were identified and divided into two groups based on intervention type: "bedside" or "operative." Demographic, laboratory, and encounter data were obtained from the medical record. Study outcomes included 30-day complications (return to the ED, reintervention, and readmission). Data were analyzed with univariate and multivariate analyses using SPSS (version 28).

RESULTS

A total of 113 patients with anorectal abscesses were identified. Sixty-six (58%) underwent bedside I&D and 47 (42%) operative I&D. The overall complication rate was 10%. A total of 9 patients (6 bedside and 3 operative) returned to the ED. Six of these patients required reintervention (5 bedside and 1 operative), and 1 was readmitted. Two patients from the bedside group required a second I&D during their index admission. Pre-procedure SIRS (P = .02) was found to be associated with 30-day complications. Provider specialty and training level were not associated with 30-day complications.

DISCUSSION

In this study, for patients presenting to the ED, bedside drainage was found to be an adequate management strategy to achieve complete drainage without a significant increase in the rate of complications when compared to operative drainage.

The Impact of Computed Tomography Scans on the Management and Wait Times in Perianal Abscess Diagnoses

Background Diagnosis and management of perianal abscesses (PAA) are based on history and clinical examination. Imaging is not indicated except in complicated cases, as determined by the surgical team. The monetary, ionizing radiation, and resource utilization costs of a computed tomography (CT) scan in the emergency room must be considered when used for diagnostic purposes of PAAs. Methods A retrospective analysis of 129 patients diagnosed with a diagnosis of PAA between 2015-2020 was performed. The primary endpoints included length of stay, CT performed, time from patient presentation to CT, and CT scan completion prior to surgical consultation. Data is reported as n (%) or median (IQR). Results Of the 129 patients diagnosed with PAA, 81 underwent CT, and 48 did not. General surgery was consulted in 88% of cases. There were no statistically significant differences in age (p=0.562), sex (p=0.531), or ethnicity (p=0.356). The median hospitalization time was two days when CT was performed (p=0.001). The median time elapsed from presentation to the emergency department and CT scan performed was 16 hours (p=0.001). CT scans were ordered before the surgical consultation in 65% of cases (p=0.001) and 17% after a surgical consultation was placed (p=0.009). Conclusion Performing CT scans prior to surgical evaluation for the diagnosis of PAA is not a responsible practice. The cost, resources, and radiation exposure must be considered. This study demonstrated that more CT scans are ordered prior to surgical consultation for PAA, resulting in a prolonged wait time in the emergency department.

Leukopenia is an independent risk factor for early postoperative complications following incision and drainage of anorectal abscess

AIM

Few data are available regarding the management of anorectal abscess in patients with leukopenia. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of leukopenia among patients undergoing incision and drainage for anorectal abscess.

METHOD

A retrospective review of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database identified patients from 2015 to 2020. Perianal fistulas and supralevator abscesses were excluded. Patients were grouped based on white blood cell (WBC) count: WBC < 4.5 cells/μl, WBC = 4.5-11.0 cells/μl and WBC > 11.0 cells/μl. The 30-day overall complications and outcomes were compared using regression models, accounting for demographics and comorbidities.

RESULTS

Ten thousand two hundred and forty (70.3% male) patients were identified. Univariate analysis showed that, compared with patients with leukocytosis (WBC > 11.0 cells/μl) and normal WBC count (WBC = 4.5-11.0 cells/μl), patients with leukopenia (WBC <4.5 cells/μl) had higher rates of overall (p < 0.001), pulmonary (p < 0.001) and haematological complications (p < 0.001). They also had higher rates of readmission (p < 0.001), reoperation (p = 0.005), discharge to a care facility (p = 0.003), increased length of hospital stay (p = 0.004) and death (p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis identified leukopenia as an independent risk factor for overall complications [odds ratio (OR) 2.31, 95% CI 1.65-3.24; p < 0.001], pulmonary complications (OR 5.65, 95% CI 1.88-16.97; p = 0.002), haematological complications (OR 4.30, 95% CI 2.94-6.28; p < 0.001), unplanned readmission (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.43-3.40; p < 0.001), reoperation (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.10-2.93; p = 0.019) and death (OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.02-7.52; p = 0.046). Discharge to a care facility and length of stay were not significant on multivariable analysis.

CONCLUSION

Leukopenia is associated with increased risk for pulmonary and haematological complications, readmissions, reoperations, discharge to a care facility and death after incision and drainage for anorectal abscess.

Intra-abdominal and Anorectal Abscesses

Intra-abdominal and anorectal abscesses are common pathologies seen in both inpatient and outpatient settings. To decrease morbidity and mortality, early diagnosis and treatment are essential. After adequate drainage via a percutaneous or incisional approach, patients need to be monitored for worsening symptoms or recurrence and evaluated for the underlying condition that may have contributed to abscess formation.