Management of perianal abscess with hainosankyuto in neonates and young infants.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Perianal abscess (PA) is a common condition acquired in infancy, yet its treatment method remains controversial. We reviewed the outcome of neonates and young infants with PA who were treated with the traditional Japanese medicine, hainosankyuto (TJ-122). METHODS: Fifteen male infants with PA under the age of 3 months were reviewed. The median age of infants at disease onset was 33 days (range, 18-88 days) and the median bodyweight was 4.1 kg (range, 2.5-6.4 kg). TJ-122 was administered at a dose of 0.20 g/kg/day (n= 13) or 0.25 g/kg/day (n= 2) orally in two or three divided doses before meals. Antibiotics were not used in any of the patients. RESULTS: Of the 15 patients, 14 were cured and had no recurrence, with a median TJ-122 administration of 28 days (range, 14-117 days). Eight patients were cured within 28 days (53%) and 12 were cured within 60 days (80%). One patient, who was later diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency, showed incomplete healing of PA with intermittent pus discharge and recurrence. The patient was cured by 1 year of age following repeated administration of TJ-122 and juzentaihoto (TJ-48). CONCLUSION: Medical management with TJ-122 was effective in most neonates and young infants with PA. It appears prudent to manage these patients with hainosankyuto before resorting to surgical intervention.