Do Antibiotics Prevent Anal Fistulae Formation?

Summary

Purpose: This randomized study assesses the effects of antibiotics on the formation of fistulae after drainage of anorectal abscesses. Methods: Patients who underwent abscess drainage in 3 major colorectal units between September 2005 and January 2008 were included. Previous anorectal surgery history, immunecompromised states, pregnancy, inflammatory bowel disease, antibiotic usage prior to surgery and the presence of an anal fistulae at the time of surgery were the exclusion criteria. Patients were randomized and given either placebo or amoxicillin-clavulanic acid combination treatment for 10 days. Patients were followed one year for perianal fistulae formation.

Timeline

Start

2005-09

Primary completion

2008-01

Completion

2008-01

Publications

• Background Vasilevsky CA, Gordon PH. The incidence of recurrent abscesses or fistula-in-ano following anorectal suppuration. Dis Colon Rectum. 1984 Feb;27(2):126-30. doi: 10.1007/BF02553995.
• Results Nunoo-Mensah JW, Balasubramaniam S, Wasserberg N, Artinyan A, Gonzalez-Ruiz C, Kaiser AM, Beart RW Jr, Vukasin P. Fistula-in-ano: do antibiotics make a difference? Int J Colorectal Dis. 2006 Jul;21(5):441-3. doi: 10.1007/s00384-005-0022-4. Epub 2005 Aug 10.
• Results Hamalainen KP, Sainio AP. Incidence of fistulas after drainage of acute anorectal abscesses. Dis Colon Rectum. 1998 Nov;41(11):1357-61; discussion 1361-2. doi: 10.1007/BF02237048.
• Results Ramanujam PS, Prasad ML, Abcarian H, Tan AB. Perianal abscesses and fistulas. A study of 1023 patients. Dis Colon Rectum. 1984 Sep;27(9):593-7. doi: 10.1007/BF02553848.

Drugs

Indications