An anal fistula looks like a small tunnel, and it connects an abscess, a cavity in the anus that is inflamed, to a skin opening around the anus. The anus is the region through which waste from the body is excreted. There are a small number of glands that make the mucus in the anal region. At times, these glands get clogged and can get infected, causing an abscess that grows into a fistula.
Table Of Contents
- What are the causes of Anal Fistula?
- What are the symptoms of Anal Fistula?
- How is Anal Fistula diagnosed?
- How is Anal Fistula treated?
- To Conclude
What are the causes of Anal Fistula?
Clogged glands are one of the main causes of anal fistula. Other causes of an anal fistula are:
- Crohn’s disease
- Radiation (cancer treatment)
- Trauma
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Tuberculosis
- Diverticulitis
- Cancer
What are the symptoms of Anal Fistula?
Here are some symptoms of anal fistula.
- Frequent anal abscesses
- Pain and swelling around the anus
- Skin irritation around the anus
- Pain in bowel movements
- Bleeding
- Fever, chills, and overall tiredness
- Bloody or foul-smelling pus in the anal area
See your doctor if you are going through these symptoms.
How is Anal Fistula diagnosed?
Your doctor will diagnose an anal fistula by inspecting the anal region. They will look for a fistula tract and determine how deep the tract is, its direction, etc. In most cases, there is drainage from the outside area.
Certain fistulas may be internal and hence not visible. In this case, your doctor will conduct additional tests. This includes
- Anoscopy – a procedure where a special instrument is used to take a look at the anus and rectum.
- If need be, the surgeon will examine you in the operating room under anesthesia to correctly diagnose the fistula.
- Ultrasound or MRI – will be conducted to have a good view of the fistula tract
If the anal fistula is detected, your healthcare practitioner may conduct further tests to check if it’s because of Crohn’s disease or any other underlying condition. This might include blood tests, X-rays, and colonoscopy.
How is Anal Fistula treated?
Surgery is conducted to cure an anal fistula which is done by a colon and rectal surgeon. It is important to find a balance between eliminating fistula while protecting the anal sphincter muscles that can trigger incontinence if damaged.
An Anal fistula that has little or no sphincter muscle can be treated with a fistulotomy. In fistulotomy, the skin and muscle over the tunnel are cut to create an open channel.
The surgery for fistula is conducted on an outpatient basis, where the patient can go home on the same day. If you have large or deep fistula tunnels, the surgeon may ask you to stay for a couple of days before discharging you. In rare cases, fistulas may require many operations to completely get rid of fistula.
To Conclude
Anal Fistulas heal after surgery. Post-surgery, the doctor may ask you to have a sitz bath and take stool softeners or laxatives for one week or so. As you may feel slight discomfort in the area, your physician will inject local anesthesia to alleviate any pain and may even suggest pain killers. If treated correctly, abscess and anal fistula will never come back.
