Background: Anorectal sepsis is a distressing condition which is sometimes inadequatelytreated.
Objectives: To determine the clinical and prostosigmoidoscopic findings in patients with anorectal sepsis seen by the authors over a 5 year period as well as identifying the commonly performed procedures.
Method: A review of all the records of patients seen by the authors over a 5 year period was carried out. The demographic pattern was determined including the age, sex, mode of presentation, and associated co-morbidities. The detailed perianal and protosigmoidoscopic findings were also noted
Results: 45 males and 10 females were seen during the study period. The mean age incidence was 43.4 years. The commonest mode of presentation was perianal discharge and pain in over 85% of the patients seen. The low anal fistula was the commonest pathology on proctosigmoidoscopy while abscesses and external haemorrhoids were the other commonly occurring lesions found . Fistulotomy was the most commonly perfomed procedure while diabetes was the most common comorbidity.
Conclusion: Anorectal sepsis most commonly affects males in the fifth decade of life. Thorough evaluation and adequate operative treatment appear to result in satisfactory early outcome.