ANAL FISTULA – CAUSES, SYMPTOMS, AND

SURGERYBY

DR. VALERIA SIMONE MD

SOUTHLAKE GENERAL SURGERY, TEXAS

OVERVIEW

• An anal fistula is a passage that

begins from inside the anus and the

skin close to the anus (a place

where stools leave the body). They

usually develop infections such as

the collection of pus in the tissues

that didn’t recuperate without

surgery. Your doctor can fix this

problem through anorectal surgery.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF FISTULA?

• There are many glands that make fluid inside the anus. At times, these glands get blocked or

clogged. This condition leads to the development of bacteria that can create swollen pockets

of infected tissues or pus. In medical terms, it is known as an abscess.

• If an abscess is not treated it will grow with time and develop a hole in the skin someplace

close to the rear-end to drain the pus out. The tunnel in the anus that connects the glands to

that opening is called the fistula.

• Many times, an abscess development causes a fistula. It’s uncommon, however, it can also

develop through other conditions such as Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD), tuberculosis,

or an ongoing medical condition that influences your bowels like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative

colitis.

SYMPTOMS OF FISTULA

An individual may experience the following symptoms:

• Redness

• Pain or discomfort

• Swelling

• Fever

You may also encounter:

• Bleeding during stools

• Pain during bowel movements

• A bad odor fluid leaking from the opening close to the anus

If you experience any of these symptoms of fistula, consult with your doctor or you canbook an appointment at Southlake General Surgery, Texas.

HOW TO DIAGNOSE FISTULA?

• Your doctor will conduct a physical examination to check for anal fistula and also

ask for medical history.

• A few of the fistulas are easy to identify during the examination and some of the

fistulas close on all alone and open back up. Your doctor will check for bleeding and

leaking fluid.

• Your doctor will presumably refer you to a specialist in anorectal problems such as

colon and rectal problems for detailed examination along with X-rays or a CT scan.

Your doctor may suggest for colonoscopy. In this test, the doctor inserts a tube with

a camera on the end into the anus to view inside the bowels.

TREATMENT OF ANAL FISTULA

• For the treatment of anal fistula, there is no medicine to treat the condition. Anorectalsurgery or Anal fistula surgery is the option to treat the condition. The surgicalprocedure can be carried out at the doctor’s clinic.

• Your doctor may use a plug to treat the fistula.

• For a complicated fistula surgery, the surgeon may insert a tube into the opening to help drain the infected fluid out before surgery.

• Fistula’s that are not complicated and are not close to the anus can be cut open from the skin and muscle encompassing the tunnel by the surgeon. This makes the incision heal from the back to the front.

• The fistula surgery procedure is based on the location of the fistula. The surgeon mightneed to cut into the sphincter muscles that open and close the anus. This procedurerequired an experienced general surgeon to avoid any damage to muscles. However,after surgery, it will be difficult for you to control the bowels until you completelyrecover.

APPOINTMENT

• For more information on anorectal surgery or anal fistula surgery at Southlake

General Surgery, Texas, and to know more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis,

treatment, and consultation. Please contact our healthcare expert today at +1 (817)

748-0200. To make an online appointment. Click here.

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