Perianal / Anal Abscess Drainage & Surgery Costs

[kward]

I recently found an uncomfortable swollen lump in a body area I don't normally put on public display.  

A google search and symptom check leads me to believe that a perianal abscess is the most likely cause.  The recommended treatment is surgical drainage by a doctor and a course of antibiotics.

Has anyone in Thailand (Bangkok specifically) had a similar case and received treatment here?  What were the overall costs and post-surgical complications?  

I'd be grateful for any hospital recommendations or other general advice. 

Thanks

[Sheryl]

Costs will vary greatly by hospital and it also depends on what exactly it is - if there is, for example, a fistula present then treatment is more complicated. If it is just an abscess, still varies according to how deep it is/ Superficial abscesses can often be drained as an outpatient procedure while deeper ones may require general anesthesia.

 

An "uncomofrtable lump" is not necessarily an abscess - perianal abscesses are usually very painful. Other possibilities might include external hemorrhoid.

 

The least expensive treatment source is a government hospital, but waits can be lengthy and red tape hard for a non-Thaio speaker to navigate.

 

I would suggest you go to one of these non-profit private hospitals:

 

 St Louis Hospital - Sathorn

Bangkok Christian - Silom

Camellian - Thoinglor

 

You could also consult the British GP at this clinic

https://www.medconsultasia.com

It is on Sukhumvit Soi 49. Dr. Donna there can certainly tell you what ti is and what it needs, and if it is not a deep abscess she may be able to treat it herself. her rates are very reasonable. If it turns out to be too extensive for her to manage,  Camellian Hospital is not far from there..

 

 

 

 

 

[kward]

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

I would suggest you go to one of these non-profit private hospitals:

 

 St Louis Hospital - Sathorn

Bangkok Christian - Silom

Camellian - Thoinglor

 

Thanks for your reply and advice, Sheryl.  

I'm thinking about giving St. Louis Hospital a try.  I've had a surgery for another condition at Bangkok Mission Hospital a year ago.  

I was happy with the care at Mission, but some friends have mentioned that St Louis is more affordable and provides about the same quality of services....although, I'm sure that depends on the individual case and condition.

[farmerjo]

I had it done a few years back at Loei Ram,can't remember exact details,go in in morning,fast,op that night(knocked out)cut out not drained, maybe one extra night and home then going to local village outpost for dressing daily.35,000 rings a bell but may have been cheaper.

Good service and not a busy hospital.

[kward]

1 minute ago, farmerjo said:

I had it done a few years back at Loei Ram,can't remember exact details,go in in morning,fast,op that night(knocked out)cut out not drained, maybe one extra night and home then going to local village outpost for dressing daily.35,000 rings a bell but may have been cheaper.

Good service and not a busy hospital.

Farmerjo, what was your recovery time like?  Any dietary/lifestyle changes you needed to make afterward?  No recurrence or complications since then?

The stories I've been been reading online about a 6-week to 6-month recovery time sound like a *literal* PITA.  Even more so is the statistic that up to 50% of perianal abscess patients may develop a fistula after the procedure.

As Sheryl pointed out, I don't even know for that it is an abscess until I get it checked out, but if my suspicions are correct, I'd be grateful for any tips on what to expect.  Thanks.

[mommysboy]

30 minutes ago, kward said:

Farmerjo, what was your recovery time like?  Any dietary/lifestyle changes you needed to make afterward?  No recurrence or complications since then?

The stories I've been been reading online about a 6-week to 6-month recovery time sound like a *literal* PITA.  Even more so is the statistic that up to 50% of perianal abscess patients may develop a fistula after the procedure.

As Sheryl pointed out, I don't even know for that it is an abscess until I get it checked out, but if my suspicions are correct, I'd be grateful for any tips on what to expect.  Thanks.

Obviously you are concerned and in some discomfort I should imagine.

 

It could be an external hemorrhoid, and as Sheryl pointed out there needs to be an examination carried out to rule out a fistula.

 

The language is scary, and the physical tests may appear intrusive, but they are handled discreetly and are not painful.

 

I had surgery carried out for a simple fistular some years ago. I'd had a recurring spot/abscess for some time previously, and a recurring symptom is it coming and going.  The main recovery time from the wound was just a week, and it took a couple of months for the muscles to regain full strength.  You would be advised to eat a good diet that's all, and may be given a supplement for the first few days.

[kward]

1 hour ago, mommysboy said:

Obviously you are concerned and in some discomfort I should imagine.

 

It could be an external hemorrhoid, and as Sheryl pointed out there needs to be an examination carried out to rule out a fistula.

 

The language is scary, and the physical tests may appear intrusive, but they are handled discreetly and are not painful.

 

I had surgery carried out for a simple fistular some years ago. I'd had a recurring spot/abscess for some time previously, and a recurring symptom is it coming and going.  The main recovery time from the wound was just a week, and it took a couple of months for the muscles to regain full strength.  You would be advised to eat a good diet that's all, and may be given a supplement for the first few days.

 

Thanks for the support and advice, mommysboy.  I'm not really so worried about the surgical procedure, but a long recovery time and possible complications from a fistula don't sound great.  It's encouraging to hear that you mostly recovered in just a week though.

As you mentioned, there's no point in worrying or trying to plan anything until I receive an examination.

[mommysboy]

2 hours ago, kward said:

 

Thanks for the support and advice, mommysboy.  I'm not really so worried about the surgical procedure, but a long recovery time and possible complications from a fistula don't sound great.  It's encouraging to hear that you mostly recovered in just a week though.

As you mentioned, there's no point in worrying or trying to plan anything until I receive an examination.

 

I confirm recovery was swift and problem free.  The problem can come back again.  The word 'fistula' is quite scary, but just refers to a small tunnel.  Most are 'simple' in the sense that they just connect to harmless tissue at the other end.  It really isn't a given that you would have one.

 

You may have what I used to understand as 'a blind boil'.  This would feel like a hard lump under the surface and wouldn't necessarily be so painful though it would not be pleasant either.  I suppose another explanation might be a sub-cutaneous cyst, which would not hurt and is harmless.

 

I had surgery at Rama 9 as I had insurance.  It would have cost 60000, but that was a good few years ago.  If I was paying myself I would choose St Louis or a govt hospital such as Chula.

 

 

 

 

[farmerjo]

Mrs just informed me the bill was 52,000,paid cash and it was only one night in hospital.

The recovery time was one month of dressing changes and was sore for a while after that.

I haven't had any issues since.