An anal fistula is usually a side effect of an anal abscess. It is an infected wound that drains pus from your anus. The draining abscess can generate a tunnel through your anus to the skin outside. Do you feel anal pain, swelling and redness in your anal part? It may be the primary symptom of Anal Fistula. You may visit an expert doctor to consult the necessary treatments. Surgery is the primary treatment for anal Fistula.
How common is this condition?
Anal fistula is a common anorectal disorder in most people. It’s twice as common in males. More than 50% of people who get an infected anal gland will develop a fistula. An infected gland forms the abscess. It is a compact place for pus. It needs to be drained at the right time. Otherwise, it may cause anal fistulas.
What does an anal fistula look like?
An anal fistula looks like a hole in the skin near your anus. The hole is the outmost portion of the tunnel that connects to the abscess inside. It might be the way to discharge the pus, blood or poop, especially when you touch the skin around it. Some older fistulas may close at the opening, while the rest of the tunnel remains the same. This causes pain and swelling until the fistula reopens to let out the drainage.
What is the main cause of a fistula?
Fistulas can occur throughout your body. It may occur between different organs or from an organ to an opening in your skin. They usually happen when your tissues are inflamed for a long time or injury or disease. Chronic inflammation and infection can ultimately wear down the nearby tissues, especially when pus needs to drain. This can create a channel between the wound and nearby tissues.
The risk factors in an anal fistula?
You’re more likely to get an anal fistula if you:
- Male.
- Have or had a perianal abscess in the past.
- Have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn’s.
- Have a history of surgery or radiation therapy in your perianal region.
- Are immunocompromised or prone to more frequent infections.
The possible complications of an anal fistula?
A fistula generally won’t heal on its own. This can lead to long-term complications, such as Persistent infection, Fistula extension and sometimes Cancer. Fistula stems from an abscess or infection may keep the infection active and cause renewed pain. Sometimes, the fistula may seem to be healing and may close at the opening. But recurring infection and drainage later open it again in a repeating cycle. The chronic fistula may rarely extend in new directions. It is a complex issue and complex fistulas are difficult to repair. Anal cancer has occasionally been found if the fistula has been present for years. Chronic inflammation and erosion create the risk of cancer.
What should I expect if I have an anal fistula?
Your viewpoint will depend on how simple or complex your anal fistula is. It will regulate the extensiveness of the treatment and its recovery process. You need to spend three to six weeks recovering from one or several surgeries that we do at Crest Surgical Practice. Some fistulas return after surgery, especially if they have many branches. It may happen due to its chronic conditions as well. Some people with IBD get multiple anal fistulas.
When should I see my healthcare provider about an anal fistula?
Always consult with your healthcare provider about anal pain. Anorectal conditions can cause substantial discomfort and may be serious. Don’t assume it’s something that will go away by itself. Hemorrhoids may be more common and familiar, but they aren’t usually very painful. If a general (primary care) practitioner tells you it’s haemorrhoids but the pain continues, see a specialist at Crest Surgical Practice. We discuss your treatment options, like fistulectomy and the LIFT procedure (ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract), as part of Anal Fistula Surgery in Singapore. We offer lifelong medical care and are here to support you every step of the way.
