My CRS wants to do a fistulotomy without even having examined me!!
I developed a perianal abscess at the base of a skin tag after a tricky colonoscopy (by the same CRS). It burst on its own and has re-filled 5 times over the last 6 weeks. Each time the amount of pus and time to drain is less. Yesterday, it was no bigger than a hair follicle spot and disappeared after 1 hour.
Does this sound like a fistula to anyone??? I really don’t want an unnecessary operation...

Sorry to hear of your issue Miss Bailey.

I'm not a doctor or someone with extensive experience with abscesses but I would think for one to fill and drain 5 times over 6 weeks would suggest it is being fed by a fistula.

How is it going so far? Is it filling up again? Do you notice any pus in the area?

Did the surgeon check for Crohn's?

Thanks for getting back to me.

When I say it’s filling up, it’s not like the first time, where it was very swollen and painful. This is like a (for want of a better word) pus-filled pimple at the root of a hair. And each time it’s getting less and less and draining/healing in a matter of hours.

I don’t have any underlying causes and my colonoscopy was all clear.

Maybe I should get a second consultant opinion??

Is it the same spot as the original abscess?

Hi
A very small collection of pus forms at where the original abscess drained from. It was about 3mm yesterday and disappeared after about 1 hour. As I said, it has been decreasingly forming and bursting over 6 weeks. The original one was about 20mm.
It’s just when I’ve googled perianal abscesses, they seem much much larger and swollen. I’m wondering if it’s the original abscess still draining?

Is it strictly pus like yellow color? Do you notice any blood or other colored liquid from the spot?

Hi
It’s just pus. The last one couldn’t even be seen with the naked eye - just by magnifying it x10. It was about the size of a hair follicle. And it disappeared in an hour. No pain.

I’m worried to have an unnecessary op, but I know that there are implications of leaving a fistula (if that’s what it is?)