Abstract In neutropenic patients with acute perianal
sepsis in the setting of hematological malignancy, the
classical clinical features of abscess formation are lacking.
Additionally, the role of surgical intervention is not well
established. In this review, we discuss the challenges and
controversy regarding diagnosis and optimal management
when clear surgical guidelines are absent. In the literature,
there is great diversity in the surgical approach to these
patients, which leads to a high percentage of diagnostic
errors, risks of complications, and unnecessary interventions.
We review the literature and assess whether surgical
intervention produces better outcomes than a non-surgical
approach. Studies published on perianal sepsis in neutropenic
cancer patients were identified by searching PubMed
using the following key words: ‘‘perianal sepsis/abscesses,
anorectal sepsis/abscess, neutropenia, hematological
malignancy, cancer’’. No randomized or prospective studies
on the management of acute perianal sepsis in hematological
malignancies were found. The largest
retrospective study and most comprehensive clinical data
demonstrated that 42 % of patients were treated successfully
without surgical intervention and without morbidity
or mortality related to treatment chosen. Small retrospective
studies advocated surgical intervention, while the
majority of successes were in a non-operative treatment. It
is difficult to formulate a conclusion given the small
retrospective series on management of neutropenic patients
with hematological malignancies. While there is no evidence
mandating a routine surgical approach in this category
of patients, non-surgical management including
careful follow-up to determine whether the patient’s condition
is deteriorating or treatment has failed is an
acceptable approach in selected patients without pathognomonic
features of abscess. Comprehensive and welldesigned
prospective studies are needed to firmly establish
the guidelines of treatment protocols