Fistula

What is an anal fistula?

An anal fistula also called “fistula-in-ano” is an abnormal external opening or a small channel that can develop between the end of the bowel and the skin near the anus resulting in leakage of pus and bleeding.

What are the Types of Anal Fistula?

• Extrasphincteric Fistula
• Intersphincteric Fistula
• Suprasphincteric Fistula
• Transphincteric Fistula

What are the Causes of Anal Fistulas?

Some of the common causes of anal fistula are:-

• When abscess not drained and healed properly
• In case of the past history of an anal abscess
• Sexually Transmitted Disease
• Chronic Diarrhoea
• Tuberculosis
• Obesity
• Crohn’s Disease
• Trauma
• Rectal Cancer
• Growth of Ulcer
• Post-Surgery Complications
• Syphilis
• Chronic constipation
• Lifting heavy weights

What are the Symptoms of Anal Fistulas?

Anal fistula has a similar sign and symptoms as anal fissures but specifically, some of the common symptoms of an anal fistula are:-

• Pain while passing stool
• Discomfort while sitting
• Redness & Irritation around the anal area
• Swelling around the anal region
• Bleeding from anus
• Fever associated with chills, and fatigue
• A Foul smelling liquid coming from abscess hole
• Recurrent anal abscess
• Itching around anus
• Discomfort while sitting
• Bleeding while passing stool

How to Diagnose Anal Fistula?

The doctor can examine an anal fistula physically by evaluating the area around the anus. But in cases where fistulas cannot be visualized by physical examination, special diagnostic tools are required to make a diagnosis. These are:

• Fistulography or X-Rays
• Colonoscopy
• CT Scan
• Anoscopy
• Endoscopic Ultrasound
• MRI
• Blood Test

What are the Treatment options for Anal Fistula?

Treatment of fistula can be non-surgical and surgical too. It depends upon the severity of the condition. It is always recommended to consult a proctologist / General surgeon when suffers from a fistula or related symptoms. Medications are enough to treat simple fistula. Consult doctors for fistula treatment in New Delhi or treatment of anal fistula in Delhi.

Surgical treatment options for Anal Fistula :

Conventional Surgical Method of Fistula Treatments include :

• Fistulotomy:

In this procedure, the surgeon opens the skin and muscles surrounding the tunnel surgically to treat the anal fistula flushing out the infected pus or tissue.

• Fibrin Glue Application or Collagen plug

Once the surgeon clears the channel and stitches the internal opening, the external opening is sealed using a special glue (fibrin) made of fibrous protein, which is injected through the external opening.

• Seton Placement :

Seton is a latex string, which is placed into the fistula to help drain the abscess or infected area.

Other advanced Surgical treatment options for anal fistula are :

• • Advanced Rectal Flap: in this procedure, the surgeon creates a flap from the rectal wall, however, it is performed rarely.
  • Ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT):

LIFT procedure is carried out in two stages. In the first stage, Seton (latex string)is placed into the fistula tract to help drain the abscess. After a few weeks, the surgeon removes the infected tissue and closes the internal opening.

Ostomy and stoma:

This procedure is an invasive procedure, done to teat the complex fistulas. In this procedure, a temporary opening is created into the abdomen so to divert the waste into a collagen bag, allowing the anal area to heal.

Muscle Flap:

Muscle tissue is taken from the thigh, labia or buttock and the channel opening is filed with the same.

Stapler Surgery:

In this, the fistula path is evaluated with an endoscope to check for the internal opening. And then, closed using a stapler. Next step is destroying the entire fistula path using electrocautery under direct telescopic vision.

Laser Surgery

This is the non-invasive procedure, removes the abscess without pain and bleeding.

What are the Benefits of Laser Treatment of Anal Fistula?

Surgery of anal fistula with the help of Laser has many advantages over the traditional Methods of fistula treatment which are based on the cuts and suturing, can be painful and take a long time to recover.

On the other hand, Laser Surgery of Anal Fistula is preferred over the Open methods of Anal Fistula treatments due to multiple advantages. These are:-

• • • Fast recovery
    • Shorter stay in hospital
    • Quick and Painless Treatment
    • No Daily Dressings
    • Can be done in all age groups with less risk involved
    • No regular follow-ups with the doctor
    • Non-invasive procedure
    • No Cuts & Wounds
    • Daycare procedure
    • No chances of infection
    • Minimal bleeding
    • High success rate

Fistula Surgery Cost in Delhi, India is economical.

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