An anal fistula is another anal disease in which an abnormal passageway is formed from inside the anus of the patient to the skin outside. It is generally developed in the butthole, i.e., the upper part of the anus in which the anal gland exists. When this anal gland becomes infected it forms a drainage called fistula. This disease is also called perianal fistula. This is an anorectal condition and it happens when the anal gland becomes infected.
Symptoms of Anal Fistula
The following are some common symptoms of anal fistula:
- Intense anal pain and the patient feel the pain more when they try to poop, cough or sit.
- Swelling or redness may develop inside or around the anus of the patient.
- The patient may also experience pain when they pee.
- The patient feels difficulty to hold poop in.
Cause of Anal Fistula
An anal fistula is mainly formed over an infected anal gland. An abscess is developed at the site of infection and the pus which needs to drain away creates its drainage channel for coming out forming a fistula. Apart from that, the following are some other reasons why anal fistula is seen to develop:
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)
- Tuberculosis affecting the anus of the patient
- Surgery in the anus or a traumatic injury
- Radiation therapy given to the cancer patient
- Actinomycosis which is a kind of bacterial infection that forms abscesses in the perianal area of the patient
Treatment for Anal Fistula
Anal fistula is mainly treated by fistula surgery although it can be treated with medication only if the condition is caused due to inflammatory bowel disease and most importantly the area is not infected. Sometimes doctors may treat with immunomodulators such as infliximab before going for surgery.
Surgery of anal fistula can be simple or complex depending on the seriousness of the disease. If the fistula is simple and involves a small amount of muscle then it can be treated in a single operation. But if the fistula becomes complex then it will require surgery in multiple stages.
Simple fistula surgery is done when there is a minimum amount of muscles and does not have any branches and this type of surgery is also called fistulotomy. In complex cases, fistula surgery can be done through techniques like seton drain, endorectal advancement flap, and LIFT procedure.
Anal fistula surgery does not require too much time and the patient is allowed to go home on the same day. However, in most cases patient is required to return for more surgery at a later stage. Once the surgery is completed doctor gives plain medication to take home with them. Apart from that, patients are advised to take water and fiber supplements. It is also required to take a lot of water to soften the stool. Moreover, the patient should take a sitz bath at least once a day which will help in soothing and healing quickly. The patient should also dress the wound area and collect the drainage to keep it clean.
Visit an experienced doctor for a perfect fistula surgery
Experienced doctors do treatments differently. That is why patients always trust experienced doctors. At Atharva Hospital under the supervision of one of the most experienced doctors in this domain, Dr. Sandeep Agarwal fistula treatment is accomplished. The hospital handles hundreds of patients daily and they always provide the best solutions. Fistula is a minor surgery but there is no space for neglecting or overlooking any part of the treatment procedure. At Atrharva Hospital extreme care is taken before and after the fistula surgery.