Introduction: We have been successfully treating pediatric perianal abscesses by spraying basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the affected area. The main effect of bFGF is to promote angiogenesis and wound healing, and it has been used for wounds with poor healing mechanisms. In the past, mothers were instructed to drain the perianal abscess area, and there were no particularly difficult cases to treat. However, in a 9-month-old boy with multiple abscesses, drainage was ineffective. When bFGF was tried, there was a dramatic improvement and the patient was finally cured.

Methods: It has been already reported the effect of bFGF on nine consecutive cases of perianal abscesses, including this one (Pediatr Surg Int 26:1037-40, 2010), and all of the patients were boys with an average age of 5.1 months. The method of use is simple: spray bFGF twice a day, 2-3 times each time, and cover with a diaper after drying. The device was assembled so that bFGF could be sprayed in the outpatient clinic, and the family was instructed on how to spray.

Results: Within an average of 7.3 ± 1.9 days after the start of treatment, pus discharge or inflammation subsided, and all nine cases were cured. One case had a mild recurrence 7 months after treatment, and another case had a new perianal abscess 1 month after treatment, but both were cured by re-administration of bFGF. During the follow-up period of 14.1 ± 3.2 months, the remaining seven cases progressed without recurrence. Since then, it has been used not only at the university but also at affiliated hospitals, and 70% of cases were cured with one course of use, and 30% of cases with mild recurrence were treated with 2-3 additional courses. To date, no adverse events have occurred, and no cases have been found in which it was difficult to continue treatment.

Conclusion: bFGF is a simple treatment that only requires spraying it directly onto the affected area, which is thought to reduce the burden on parents. bFGF has a visible, rapid effect and is also useful as a treatment for recurrence, and is thought to be useful as a new treatment strategy for the future.