Epidemiology and Management of Anal Suppuration at the Donka National Hospital, Chu De Conakry, Guinea

Abstract

Introduction: Anal suppurations (fistula and abscess) correspond to two progressive phases of the same disease, characterised by an infection of cryptic origin in the anal canal. The objectives of this study were to determine the hospital frequency, to describe the clinical aspects and to determine the therapeutic modalities of anal suppurations in the department. Methodology: This was a one-year dynamic descriptive study of patients admitted to and operated on for anal suppuration in the Department of Visceral Surgery, Donka National Hospital, Conakry University Hospital. Results: Out of a total of 351 patients operated on, we recorded 21 cases of anal suppuration, i.e. 5.98%. Anal suppuration accounted for 45.65% of all proctological disorders. The average age was 43.09 years. There was a clear male predominance (95.23%) with a sex ratio of 20:1. The clinical picture was dominated by anal discharge and evidence of skin orifices. Retroviral serology, haemogram, HBsAg and blood glucose were performed in all patients. All patients were treated surgically. Post-operative management was straightforward in 95.23% of cases, with complications occurring in 4.76%. Conclusion: Anal suppuration remains by far the most frequent proctological disease in our practice. They constitute a real public health problem because they are underestimated in the African population due to socio-cultural factors. Diagnosis is essentially clinical and treatment is surgical.