Packing Versus no Packing in Perianal Abscess

NCT ID: NCT07280962

Last Updated: 2025-12-15

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 44 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-05-01
• Study Completion Date: 2025-10-30

Brief Summary

Perianal abscess is a common surgical emergency that causes significant pain and discomfort. The standard treatment involves incision and drainage (I&D) of the abscess cavity, traditionally followed by packing to prevent re-accumulation of pus and to promote healing. However, packing is often painful, requires frequent dressing changes, and increases patient discomfort as well as healthcare costs. Recent studies suggest that leaving the cavity unpacked may result in similar healing outcomes while reducing postoperative pain and shortening the length of hospital stay. This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the outcomes of packing versus no packing of the perianal abscess cavity following I&D. The study will evaluate postoperative pain using the Visual Analogue Scale at 6, 12, and 24 hours, duration of hospital stay, and the recurrence rate within one month. The findings of this research are expected to guide evidence-based clinical practice by improving patient comfort, reducing hospital burden, and optimizing postoperative care protocols.

Detailed Description

This randomized controlled trial is designed to evaluate and compare the clinical outcomes of packing versus no packing of the perianal abscess cavity following incision and drainage (I&D), the standard surgical management for this common anorectal condition. Perianal abscesses develop due to infection and obstruction of the anal glands, resulting in severe pain, swelling, and systemic discomfort. Traditionally, postoperative packing of the abscess cavity has been performed to maintain drainage, achieve hemostasis, and prevent re-accumulation of pus; however, this practice is associated with considerable pain, delayed wound healing, repeated dressing changes, and increased hospital visits. In contrast, leaving the cavity unpacked and allowing healing by secondary intention may minimize patient discomfort, reduce healthcare costs, and shorten recovery time without increasing the risk of recurrence.

This study will be conducted among adult patients diagnosed with perianal abscess requiring I&D, who will be randomly assigned to two groups: Group A (packing) and Group B (no packing). Postoperative pain will be assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at 6, 12, and 24 hours after the procedure. The duration of hospital stay and recurrence of the abscess within one month will also be recorded. Data will be analyzed using SPSS software, applying independent t-tests and chi-square tests to determine statistical significance, with a p-value < 0.05 considered significant. The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence-based insights into whether non-packing offers comparable or superior outcomes to conventional packing, ultimately guiding surgical practice toward safer, more comfortable, and cost-effective patient care.

Conditions

Perianal Abccess

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

Packing group

This group will undergo packing of perianal abccess after the drainage.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Packing of perianal abccess with surgical gauze

Intervention Type: PROCEDURE

Patients will undergo packing of perianal abcess after incision and drainage

Non-packing group

This group received no packing after drainage of perianal abcess.

Group Type: PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Non-packing of perianal abccess

Intervention Type: PROCEDURE

The patients in non-packing group received no packing of wound after drainage of parianal abccess.

Interventions

Packing of perianal abccess with surgical gauze

Patients will undergo packing of perianal abcess after incision and drainage

Intervention Type: PROCEDURE

Non-packing of perianal abccess

The patients in non-packing group received no packing of wound after drainage of parianal abccess.

Intervention Type: PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Patients presenting in the emergency department diagnosed with acute perianal abscess (Diagnosed on the basis of history and clinical examination with ultrasonographic evidence of quantifiable collection and confirmed by needle aspiration of pus from swelling) based on history and examination, requiring incision and drainage.

Exclusion Criteria

• Patients with prior perianal fistulas based on history and examination
• Patients with recurrent abscess (based on history)
• Horseshoe abscess as based on examination
• Previous pelvic irradiation (based on history)
• Immunocompromised patients
• Malignant abscess

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

King Edward Medical University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Locations

King Edward Medical University

Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan

Countries

Pakistan

References

Perera AP, Howell AM, Sodergren MH, Farne H, Darzi A, Purkayastha S, Paraskeva P. A pilot randomised controlled trial evaluating postoperative packing of the perianal abscess. Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2015 Feb;400(2):267-71. doi: 10.1007/s00423-014-1231-5. Epub 2014 Jul 23.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 25053508 (View on PubMed)

Study Documents

Document Type: Study Protocol

https://heyzine.com/flip-book/0d5ec370d6.html

View Document

Related Links

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10364677

This study elaborates the outcomes of role of packing in perianal abcess.

Other Identifiers

Dr. Hafsa Khan

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id