Perianal fistula in perineal phlegmon as a complication of spontaneous rectus sheath hematoma. A case report

Abstract

The authors present a case of a 56-year-old female patient treated due to perineal phlegmon complicated with fistulas in the anal region and medial region of the right thigh. Imaging scans demonstrated the presence of numerous pus collections at various sites, but did not reveal the cause of phlegmon and fistulas. The patient was deemed eligible for an urgent surgery. The crypt-related etiology of fistulas was ruled out intraoperatively. The numerous pus collections and cutaneous fistulas were incised, cleansed and drained. Subsequently, treatment was continued using negative pressure wound therapy. The treatment led to wound healing. The retrospective analysis demonstrated that the most probable cause of phlegmon was spontaneous rectus sheath hematoma that had an atypical manifestation due to pathological obesity. Obesity, diabetes and delayed diagnosis led to the gravitational spread of phlegmon within the perineum, right groin and right thigh, and to the formation of cutaneous fistulas.