An anal fistula is an extremely painful disorder that happens due to the formation of an infected tunnel between the anal opening and the patient’s skin. Most anal fistulas develop after a severe infection in the anal gland, which
spreads into the nearby skin.
The condition results in pus-filled tunnels, which cause pain and inflammation around the anal muscles. It makes pooping a painful experience for the patient.
VAAFT or video-assisted anal fistula treatment is a recent medical intervention that allows the patients to undergo a pain-free diagnosis and surgery for the anal fistula.
Table Of Contents
- What does the VAAFT Surgical kit include?
- How is the VAAFT procedure done?
- Recovery after VAAFT procedure
What does the VAAFT Surgical kit include?
VAAFT procedure is quite a new intervention hence the accessibility of this treatment is often limited to bigger cities and advanced hospitals.
The surgical kit for VAAFT includes three key components, including:
- A video telescope also termed as the fistuloscope. This allows the surgeons to check the severity of the condition by probing into the formed tunnels inside the anus.
- A unipolar electrode, which remains connected to a high-frequency generator.
- A fistula brush and forceps combination excise the infected tunnels and clean the tract.
How is the VAAFT procedure done?
The VAAFT procedure is typically done in two phases. The first phase is to diagnose the insides of the anus to check the spread and the tunnels in the area. The second phase is the surgery to remove those infected tunnels. Depending on the severity of the diagnosis, the surgeon will suggest whether or not an operative phase is mandatory for the patient.
Here’s a quick breakdown of each phase.
Diagnosis phase
- The patient starts by getting spinal or general anesthesia to numb the infected area in the anus before they are advised to lie down on the table with their legs in the stirrups. This is called the lithotomy position.
- Once the patient is prepped, the surgeon inserts the fistuloscope through the anal opening into the fistula in the patient’s anus.
- The surgeon then checks for the internal opening of the anus and rules out the spread and the presence of secondary tracts and branching inside.
- The patient’s anal opening is kept open using a speculum, and an isotonic irrigation solution keeps the field of diagnosis clear for the doctor.
Operative phase
- During the procedure, the surgeon will clean the fistula and then seal the internal opening using stitches to prevent the further spread of the infected tunnel.
- Once the surgeon finds the fistula’s internal opening into the anus, the surgeon then preps the patient for the surgical intervention.
- The necrotic elements in the fistula tunnel are excised, along with excess blood and pus.
Once the procedure is done, the fistuloscope is taken out of the patient’s anus and the speculum. Next, the patient’s legs are taken off the stirrups, and they are asked to lie down normally on the table for further recovery.
Recovery after VAAFT procedure
The recovery period varies from patient to patient. However, the primary recovery in most patients takes between 2-3 months after the procedure. Your surgeon will advise maintaining optimal hygiene, especially after excretion, to prevent further worsening of the condition.
Also, you might be on laxatives for the first few months after the surgery to prevent putting excess pressure on the treated site. The surgeon will also prescribe pain medications to take after the procedure.
In case something seems amiss, especially involving severe bleeding and pain should be reported to the surgeon immediately.
