Primary partial internal sphincterectomy in the treatment of anorectal abscess.

Anorectal abscess is usually treated by simple incision and drainage. Many patients treated in this way will develop a recurrence of the abscess or a chronic anal fistula. In order to prevent such a recurrence partial internal sphincterectomy has been added to the incision and drainage. The results with this so-called primary partial internal sphincterectomy in 74 patients were excellent, because of absence of recurrent abscess or persistent fistula.