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Antibiotics Post-Surgery for Perianal Abscess (PARFAIT Trial)

Phase 3
Waitlist Available
Led By Paul Karanicolas, MD PhD
Research Sponsored by Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Perianal abscess requiring incision and drainage
Patients aged ≥18 years
Must not have
Allergies or contraindications to amoxicillin + clavulanic acid, penicillin, ciprofloxacin, or metronidazole
Abscess associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up 1 year
Awards & highlights
No Placebo-Only Group
Pivotal Trial

Summary

This trial examines whether antibiotics can prevent complications after treating an infection near the anus in adults. The aim is to determine if antibiotics can stop bacteria from causing additional issues.

Who is the study for?
Adults over 18 with a perianal abscess needing surgical drainage can join this trial. It's not for those allergic to the antibiotics being tested, immunocompromised individuals, recent rectal cancer patients, or those with certain conditions like IBD.
What is being tested?
The study tests if adding antibiotics (amoxicillin + clavulanic acid or ciprofloxacin + metronidazole) after draining a perianal abscess reduces fistula formation and recurrence. Participants are randomly chosen to receive either standard care with or without antibiotics.
What are the potential side effects?
Possible side effects include allergic reactions, gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea and nausea, and potential antibiotic resistance. The specific side effects depend on the individual's reaction to amoxicillin + clavulanic acid or ciprofloxacin + metronidazole.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I have had surgery for a perianal abscess.
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I am 18 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
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I am allergic to or cannot take certain antibiotics like amoxicillin, penicillin, ciprofloxacin, or metronidazole.
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I have an abscess due to my IBD.
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I have had recurring abscesses near my anus in the last 5 years.
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I have had pelvic radiotherapy in the last 5 years.
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I am not on treatments that weaken my immune system, like steroids or chemotherapy, and I do not have HIV.
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I have an abscess above the pelvic floor muscles.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~1 year
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 1 year for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Estimation of fistula formation in three groups
Proportion of complete data collection for patient-reported outcome surveys, across all sites
Proportion of participants who received the allocated intervention, across all sites
+2 more

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group
All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.
Pivotal Trial
The final step before approval, pivotal trials feature drugs that have already shown basic safety & efficacy.

Trial Design

3Treatment groups
Active Control
Group I: Antibiotic 1 arm (amoxicillin + clavulanic acid)Active Control1 Intervention
Patients will undergo I\&D of PA by the clinician as per standard of care. This may occur in the emergency department or operating room. Patients may or may not receive packing based on the clinician's standard practice and institutional routines. Patients randomized to the antibiotic 1 arm will receive a prescription for amoxicillin + clavulanic acid (875 mg amoxicillin and 125 mg clavulanic acid BID) PO for 7 days. Otherwise, all participants will be treated identically according to the institution's standard practices.
Group II: Antibiotic 2 arm (ciprofloxacin + metronidazole)Active Control1 Intervention
Patients will undergo I\&D of PA by the clinician as per standard of care. This may occur in the emergency department or operating room. Patients may or may not receive packing based on the clinician's standard practice and institutional routines. Patients randomized to the antibiotic 2 arm will receive a prescription for ciprofloxacin + metronidazole (ciprofloxacin 500 mg and metronidazole 500 mg BID) PO for 7 days. Otherwise, all participants will be treated identically according to the institution's standard practices.
Group III: No antibioticsActive Control1 Intervention
Patients will undergo I\&D of PA by the clinician as per standard of care. This may occur in the emergency department or operating room. Patients may or may not receive packing based on the clinician's standard practice and institutional routines. In the comparator arm, patients will not receive any antibiotics. Otherwise, all participants will be treated identically according to the institution's standard practices.

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.
Mechanism Of Action
Side Effect Profile
Prior Approvals
Other Research
The most common treatments for perianal fistulas include antibiotics post-incision and drainage (I&D), surgical drainage, seton placement, and anti-TNF agents. Antibiotics work by preventing infection and reducing inflammation, which helps prevent the formation of fistulas by eliminating the bacteria responsible for abscesses. This is crucial for perianal fistula patients as it reduces the need for further surgical interventions and promotes better healing outcomes. Surgical drainage and seton placement maintain drainage and prevent abscess recurrence, while anti-TNF agents reduce inflammation in cases related to Crohn's disease, aiding in fistula healing.
Does adjuvant antibiotic treatment after drainage of anorectal abscess prevent development of anal fistulas? A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter study.

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Sunnybrook Health Sciences CentreLead Sponsor
674 Previous Clinical Trials
1,565,840 Total Patients Enrolled
Paul Karanicolas, MD PhDPrincipal InvestigatorSunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
5 Previous Clinical Trials
4,280 Total Patients Enrolled
~4 spots leftby Nov 2025