Usually an abscess is caused by a fistula getting clogged up. What I had done is called a drainage seton. Sure, maybe not the first thing to try, but maybe if nothing else is working. It's an outpatient procedure but very painful for a few weeks. Now I'm 4 weeks out and I'm glad I did it - no more abscess for me.
Sure, now I have some strange strings in my butt, but that was he price to pay for me. There are other kinds of setons, like cutting setons, but that a different thing. The drainage seton does not cure the fistula, just keeps it from clogging into an abscess.
-Joe