Perianal Abscess - Children's Hospital Boston

Family Education Sheet • Perianal Abscess
with you, which is done to open the fistula
site to help it heal. This procedure is usually
done in the operating room under general
anesthesia.
If my child needs surgery, what
happens on the day of surgery?
General anesthesia is used. Most children go
home the same day as surgery. However,
some children need to spend a night in the
hospital for observation.
You will meet both the surgeon and the
anesthesia doctor on the day of surgery.
After surgery, your child will stay in the Day
Surgery Unit until he/she is ready to go
home. To go home, your child must be alert
and able to take fluids. Parents are welcome
to stay with their child during this time.
What happens after the surgery?
Your child’s surgeon will give specific
instructions regarding care of the wound.
Pain medicine may be prescribed. It is
important to give the medicine as
prescribed by your doctor and nurse.
Please ask your child’s doctor, nurse, nurse
practitioner or pharmacist to explain any
instructions that you do not understand.
© Children’s Hospital Boston, 2012 All rights reserved. Publication Date 6/7/12
page 2 of 2 #161088
Your child’s surgeon will let you know
when he/she would like to see your child
for follow-up.
There usually are no restrictions on activity
after this surgery.
When to call
Call your doctor, nurse, or nurse practitioner
if you see or note the following:
Increased redness, swelling or tenderness
around the incision site;
Fever greater than 101° F;
Pain that is not helped by prescribed
medication.
Numbers to Call
Monday – Friday
8:30am – 5:00pm
Evenings, Nights,
Weekends, and
Holidays
(617) 355-7780
Page Operator:
(617) 355-6369
Ask for the surgeon
on-call.
A Spanish version of this education sheet is
available from your provider.