Horseshoe abscess fistula. Seton treatment.

A study was undertaken to analyze seton fistulotomy with counter drainage as a treatment modality for horseshoe abscess fistula. In a previous report of 27 patients with partial or complete horseshoe abscess fistula, 24 patients underwent primary fistulotomy and counter drainage with a recurrence rate of 28.6 percent. Two patients were treated by seton fistulotomy and counter drainage with no recurrence. Therefore, nine additional patients underwent this procedure. Recurrent horseshoe abscess fistula occurred in 2 of 11 patients (18.1 percent). Seton fistulotomy with counter drainage has become the authors' operative procedure of choice for horseshoe abscess fistula. This method may prove more effective if the true primary abscess cavity is identified, the seton is removed appropriately, and postoperative care of the cavity is adequate. Method of management is discussed.