Perineal Disease and Faecal Incontinence
Adult

Colorectal Surgery

Useful Management Information

  • Local application of cold packs and oral anti-inflammatory medications
  • Referral to pelvic floor physiotherapist
  • Education about pelvic floor care and specific techniques for defecation
  • Oral antibiotics such as Augmentin®, or clindamycin where penicillin allergy is a factor, should be considered.
  • Sexual counselling for the couple
  • Counselling for subsequent pregnancy management
  • Importance of follow-up six weeks and three months postpartum
  • Postpartum management: avoid constipation, use of aperients, dietary advice
  • Reassurance and provide support – psychological

Fistula

  • Persisting fistula discharge/infections: Glyceryl trinitrate 0.2% ointment
    (Rectogesic®): TDS for four-six weeks (NS)
  • Lifestyle modification (increased activity, dietary, weight, smoking, alcohol)

Pilonidal Sinus

  • Lifestyle modification (increased activity, dietary, weight, smoking, alcohol)
  • Advice on hygiene, sweating activity, activity associated with sitting and buttock friction

Minimum Referral Criteria

Does your patient meet the minimum referral criteria?
Category 1 (appointment within 30 calendar days)
  • Persistent perineal sepsis
Category 2 (appointment within 90 calendar days)
  • Symptomatic obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASIS)
  • Fissure not responding to maximal medical treatment after 6 weeks
  • External rectal prolapse
Category 3 (appointment within 365 calendar days)
  • Pilonidal disease/sinus
  • Warts
  • Uncomplicated haemorrhoids
  • Anal skin tags and benign peri-anal polyps
  • Uncomplicated fistula in ano
  • Faecal incontinence
  • If the patient does not meet the criteria for referral but the referring practitioner believes the patient requires specialist review, a clinical override may be requested:
    • Please explain why (e.g. warning signs or symptoms, clinical modifiers, uncertain about diagnosis, etc.)
  • Please note that your referral may not be accepted or may be redirected to another service.

Essential Referral Information

  • Management to date including timeline, medication and lifestyle
  • History of previous drainage operation

Additional Referral Information

  • Previous gastroenterologist investigations and results (date, report and histology results) e.g. last 2-3 clinic letters
  • Assessment of sphincter function and integrity
  • Endoanal USS results
Last updated 16 July 2021

Send Referrals To

Smart Referrals

Preferred Method
About Smart Referrals

Secure Web Transfer

Send to: Gold Coast Health Service District

Internal Referrals

Colorectal Surgery (E-Blueslips)

Fax

(07) 5687 4497

Post

Booking and Referral Centre
Gold Coast University Hospital
1 Hospital Boulevard
Southport QLD 4215

Enquiries

1300 559 083

Related HealthPathways

No directly related pathways found

Service Availability

Dr Gregory Nolan
Medical Director General & Acute Surgery

Facilities

Gold Coast University Hospital
Robina Hospital

If you would like to send a named referral, please address it to the specialist listed above, who will allocate a suitably qualified specialist to see the patient. Alternatively, you can view a full list of our specialists.

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