Perirectal Abscess Healing: Recovery Timeline & Drainage Concerns

Question
Hello,

I had a Thrombosed external hemmrhoid lanced about a month ago. A few days after, it turned into an abscess. After the abscess bursted,It was packed by the surgeon and i was put on Flagyl and told to take sitz baths.

Fast Forward, a month later, I still got a small pinholed size hole(Where the intial abscess bursted) that drains every now and then. The drainage is really small, not much at all.

My Question is how long does it take for an abscess to completley heal? How do you know if it has turned into a fistula or not? When I intially got the abscess, I had a fever and extreme pain down there. Now, Im fine, no fever or anything. Just scared of getting a systemic infection. Thank you!

Answer
if it doesn't heal, meaning the pinsized hole continues to drain occ, then it is a fistula.... but usually after surgery, packing, antibiotics it heals in a month or two.  Have the surgeon relook at things to make sure...... the fact that you are pain free doesn't mean there isn't a fistula.