Anal Gland impaction/Abscess/Rupture- sometimes mistaken for bloody diarrhea or rectal discharge

What we will do

  • Gather Historical Data: What symptoms are the patient showing? Patients with anal gland abscesses often yelp when trying to defecate, have bloody discharge from or near the rectum, or want to lick around the area. Has the patient had issues with full anal glands in the past?
  • Gather Current Data: We will perform a through physical examination and determine the extent of the abscess. How bad is it? Many anal gland abscesses have already ruptured or are about to rupture before the patient is brought in. Minor cases without rupture can at times be remedied with the patient sedated, but not under anesthesia. More involved cases are best handled with the patient under general anesthesia. Pre-anesthetic blood work is obtained for more involved cases that require minor surgical repair under general anesthesia.
  • Treatment:Anal gland abscesses usually occur because the duct that allow the anal gland to drain is clogged. Ideally, duct patency is reestablished and local anti-inflammatory medication is infused into the duct. At times, this requires a surgical procedure. Anesthesia will allow us to thoroughly flush the duct and treat the ruptured area of the anal gland. Bloodwork results will help us to take the necessary anesthetic precautions. An IV catheter in place can be used to give intravenous fluids and intravenous antibiotics during the procedure. Anesthesia is monitored by state of the art multiparameter machines, the patient’s doctor, and a devoted technician. Most patients go home the same day with antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.