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What is the drain attached to my perineum after my abscess surgery?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 7/16/2017 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi guys,

I'm visiting from the UC forum because I hear crohn's is a better place to ask about abscess surgery, so really quick...

Had an abscess about the size of a strawberry on my perineum removed Friday, was sedated, tubed, woke up felt ok, doc told me all my discharge info was on my paperwork and spent time answering all my questions, he did mention there was a drain on me but really told me nothing beyond that (I was drugged, so maybe he did, but really don't recall) anyway theres a drainage device, it seems like it connects three parts of my body from perineum at the drain site to the butt cheek, what the hell is this?

How long does it stay here?

Any tips on wiping when you go to the bathroom, this is extremely frustrating that it wasn't explained, I'm afraid of pulling it out as some of it is right next to the anus?

From my search it may be called a seton, if that rings a bell. No google images match what I see. I'm wearing maxi pads that the Friday were drenched in blood/fluid, minimal yesterday and today.

I called my surgical center and couldn't get a hold of the doc, I will call tomorrow.

Thanks for any advice.
Posted 7/17/2017 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
Do NOT pull out the drain!! *shudder* Yes, it is most likely a seton. Basically, what it does is allow the infection to continue to drain out. You can't really pull it out because it's actually attached (or at least, I imagine it should be - mine have been in different places). Your surgeon will be the one to remove it. After that, you'll have some packing in the wound to be changed every day, that will slowly allow it to heal from the inside-out. If you just leave it alone to heal, then the outside will seal up first before the inside, creating a new abscess.

On another note, the fact that you have an abscess makes me wonder strongly if you don't have CD instead of UC. I don't think it's very common for UCers to get abscesses. Are you on any medications for any of this?
Posted 7/17/2017 6:55 AM (GMT 0)
budesonide, the doc told me I can go back to work in 2 weeks, I'm in the fire department, wound care seems like odd to say return to work.... hmmm....

Not too bore you with the details, and I'm sure its probably denial, but I'm still questioning if I have anything because my symptoms other than frequent bm's and inflammation in my colonoscopy dont really match what I've read here.

But like i said, its probably denial, it's been a good 37 years, it had to come to an end sometime.

How about wiping? Any tips?
Posted 7/17/2017 12:48 PM (GMT 0)
As long as the seton is in, returning to work won't be a problem. It'll be when they take it out that you'll need to be a bit more careful. They should have scheduled you with a follow-up appointment with the surgeon.

Frequent BMs and inflammation are the #1 signs of IBD. The fact that it's abscessed usually means that it's moved outside of the first lining of the large intestine, which UC does not do.

Budesonide is a steroid, so that's great for a temporary solution, but you really, really should be on a maintenance medication to try to prevent this from continuing. I highly recommend Remicade, which is the most effective with treatments for abscesses and/or fistulae.

As for wiping, I would suggest getting flushable wet wipes and dabbing. Or, if possible, a squirt bottle (similar to what they give women after childbirth) that you can squeeze to rinse off, then pat yourself dry.
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