A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS OF COMPARING DRAINAGE ALONE VS. DRAINAGE WITH PRIMARY FISTULA TREATMENT FOR THE PERIANAL ABSCESS IN CHILDREN

Meta-analysis of 1,262 pediatric patients demonstrates that drainage combined with primary fistula treatment for perianal abscesses significantly improves healing rates and reduces fistula formation by 86% compared to drainage alone, with minimal impact on fecal continence.