Abscess not responding to antibiotics

[nogutsnoglory]

My perianal abscess is not responding to flagyl/cipro. I think it's probably too deep and the antibiotics can't penetrate the barrier.

If I opt for surgical removal how does it drain if its deeper inside?

 

[KWalker]

Depending on the depth, they cut pretty far in. After I had my surgery you could easily stick your fingers up to the knuckles inside. Are you draining at all?

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Right now just on the antibiotics but haven't drained or noticed a difference.

 

[KWalker]

From what I've read antibiotics are no good unless the abscess is draining. Really, there's no way for it to get smaller unless it's releasing the infection (draining). How big is yours approx? Mine is big enough that it fills up and drains on it's own after putting pressure on it.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Mine is not that big but it sits on a nerve making it painful. It it's an inch deep in the skin how could it drain? Even if it were draining it would be within the body and I wouldn't know.

 

[Heavenfaced]

When diagnosed with my abscess I had an emergency drainage procedure in the ER. It really wasn't until it started draining that my pain was relieved to sit properly. So I tend to wonder if all that fluid build up is what's causing you pain as opposed to anything else.

Has your specialist talked about placing a seton to assist with fluid removal? I think that is something usually explored before a fistulotomy or any other surgical methods.

 

[LauraGrace]

Depending on the depth, they cut pretty far in. After I had my surgery you could easily stick your fingers up to the knuckles inside. Are you draining at all?

Mine was the same way. I had the surgery done to take care of it, then was left with a hole, a gaping hole, a little over 1 inch deep and about 1" by 2" in size. Yet, even though it was this big hole, it was still less painful than the abscess. If it's not going away after antibiotics, and if it sticks around after you try to drain it, I would really recommend getting the surgery to remove it. The only down side I had with the surgery was needing to pack the wound for a few weeks afterward. Really very difficult to impossible to do on your own . Luckily my husband is pretty amazing and did it for me.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Did that gaping hole close up? How long did it take?

 

[LauraGrace]

It did close up. It took over a month to heal up completely.