Final answer:
The statement is true, an individual with a trans sphincteric fistula likely had a perianal abscess, as such fistulas usually form following an infection that has not properly healed or been drained.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, somebody with a trans sphincteric fistula is most likely to have had a perianal abscess. A trans sphincteric fistula is a channel that can develop between the rectum and the skin near the anus, typically following an infection such as a perianal abscess. When an abscess does not heal naturally or is not properly drained, it can lead to the formation of a fistula.
Perianal abscesses occur when a gland near the anus becomes infected, leading to a collection of pus. The abscess can cause considerable pain and discomfort, and if not treated, can result in a persistent abnormal connection between internal organs and the external skin surface, known as a fistula. In this case, the fistula passes through the external and internal sphincter muscles, making it a trans sphincteric fistula.