"Emergency Room Incision and Drainage of Perirectal Abscess is Equivalent to Incision and Drainage in the Operating Room".

Background: Current guidelines for management of anorectal abscesses make no recommendations for operative vs bedside incision and drainage (I&D). The purpose of this study was to determine if management in the operating room is necessary to adequately drain anorectal abscesses and prevent short-term complications for patients presenting to the emergency department (ED).

Methods: Patients with perirectal abscesses were identified and divided into two groups based on intervention type: "bedside" or "operative.