perianal and anal diseases and conditions
Last reviewed 01/2018
Anal and perianal disorders are a major cause of outpatient referrals accounting for about 20% of the cases seen.
These disorders are often extremely embarrassing and distressing to the patient and these features probably account for why the patient often waits a long time before seeking medical advice.
Most anal and perianal disorders can be treated on an outpatient basis. However, abscesses and haemorrhoids that have been strangulated or thrombosed may present as surgical emergencies.