Anal Fistula
What is it?
An anal fistula is an abnormal tract or a tunnel that connects the internal lining of the anus to an opening on the anal skin.
What are the symptoms?
Fistulas can present in a number of ways including;
· Pain,
· Discharge,
· Itching,
· A lump in the anal area or an abscess if they become infected.
· Sometimes they can cause no symptoms at all.
What Caused It?
The most common cause is an infection that starts in an anal gland and causes an abscess in the anal area.
What’s the treatment?
· Fistulas won’t get better with antibiotics.
· Most fistulas need an operation to treat them.
· Surgical treatment depends upon how much of the anal muscle is involved with the fistula.
· Simple fistulas: Fistulas without much anal muscle involved, can be treated by cutting open the track (tunnel) and allowing the wound to heal without stitches. This is called a fistulotomy.
· Complex fistulas: Fistulas that involve more of the anal muscle usual require a seton drain. A seton is a stitch that runs through the fistula and allows the area to drain. It lowers the risk of infection while preparing for further surgery.
· There are a number of options to treat complex fistulas. Each on is tailored to the patients particular problem.
· Fistulas associate with Crohns disease are more difficult to treat and often use a combination of seton drains and Crohns medications.
What’s the outcome?
· Most simple fistulas can be treated with a single operation.
· More complex fistulas can need multiple procedures to get them to heal.
What is it?
An anal fistula is an abnormal tract or a tunnel that connects the internal lining of the anus to an opening on the anal skin.
What are the symptoms?
Fistulas can present in a number of ways including;
· Pain,
· Discharge,
· Itching,
· A lump in the anal area or an abscess if they become infected.
· Sometimes they can cause no symptoms at all.
What Caused It?
The most common cause is an infection that starts in an anal gland and causes an abscess in the anal area.
What’s the treatment?
· Fistulas won’t get better with antibiotics.
· Most fistulas need an operation to treat them.
· Surgical treatment depends upon how much of the anal muscle is involved with the fistula.
· Simple fistulas: Fistulas without much anal muscle involved, can be treated by cutting open the track (tunnel) and allowing the wound to heal without stitches. This is called a fistulotomy.
· Complex fistulas: Fistulas that involve more of the anal muscle usual require a seton drain. A seton is a stitch that runs through the fistula and allows the area to drain. It lowers the risk of infection while preparing for further surgery.
· There are a number of options to treat complex fistulas. Each on is tailored to the patients particular problem.
· Fistulas associate with Crohns disease are more difficult to treat and often use a combination of seton drains and Crohns medications.
What’s the outcome?
· Most simple fistulas can be treated with a single operation.
· More complex fistulas can need multiple procedures to get them to heal.