Fistula in ano
An anal fistula — also called fistula-in-ano — is a tunnel that develops between the inside of the anus and the outside skin around the anus. The anus is the muscular opening at the end of the digestive tract where stool exits the body.
Most anal fistulas are the result of an infection that starts in an anal gland. The infection causes an abscess that drains on its own or is drained surgically through the skin next to the anus. This drainage tunnel remains open and connects the infected anal gland or the anal canal to a hole in the outside skin around the anus.
Surgery is usually needed to treat an anal fistula.
Symptoms
Symptoms of an anal fistula can include:
- An opening on the skin around the anus
- A red, inflamed area around the tunnel opening
- Oozing of pus, blood or stool from the tunnel opening
- Pain in the rectum and anus, especially when sitting or passing stool
- Fever
Risk factors
Risk factors for an anal fistula include:
- Previously drained anal abscess
- Crohn’s disease or other inflammatory bowel disease
- Trauma to the anal area
- Infections of the anal area
- Surgery or radiation for treatment of anal cancer.
Anal fistulas occur most often in adults around the age of 40 but may occur in younger people, especially if there is a history of Crohn’s disease. Anal fistulas occur more often in males than in females.
Even with effective treatment of an anal fistula, recurrence of an abscess and an anal fistula is possible. Surgical treatment may result in the inability to hold in stool (faecal incontinence).
Diagnosis
To diagnose an anal fistula, your doctor will discuss your symptoms and do a physical exam. The exam includes looking at the area around and inside your anus.
The external opening of an anal fistula is usually easily seen on the skin around the anus. Finding the fistula’s internal opening inside the anal canal is more complicated. Knowing the complete path of an anal fistula is important for effective treatment.
One or more of the following tests will be used to identify the fistula tunnel:
Proctoscopy
- MRIcan map the fistula tunnel and provide detailed images of the sphincter muscle and other structures of the pelvic floor.
- Fistulogramis an X-ray of the fistula that uses an injected contrast to identify the anal fistula tunnel.
Other options to identify the fistula’s internal opening include:
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy.These procedures use an endoscope to examine the large intestine (colon). Sigmoidoscopy can evaluate the lower part of the colon (sigmoid colon). Colonoscopy, which examines the full length of the colon, is important to look for other disorders, especially if ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease is suspected.
- An injected dye solution.This may help locate the fistula opening.
Treatment
Treatment of an anal fistula depends on the fistula’s location and complexity and its cause. The goals are to repair the anal fistula completely to prevent recurrence and to protect the sphincter muscles. Damage to these muscles can lead to faecal incontinence. Although surgery is usually required, sometimes nonsurgical treatments may be an option.
Surgical options at Hande Hospital include:
- Fistulectomy
- Laser Ablation of the fistulous tract.
- Ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT).LIFT is a two-stage treatment for more-complex or deep fistulas. LIFT allows the surgeon to access the fistula between the sphincter muscles and avoid cutting them. A silk or latex string (seton) is first placed into the fistula tunnel, forcing it to widen over time. Several weeks later, the surgeon removes infected tissue and closes the internal fistula opening.
Best Hospital For Fistula Treatment In Chennai
At Hande Hospital, the fistula laser treatment in Chennai is almost painless, uncomplicated, and cost-effective, and promises quick recovery. We bring you all this along with the supervision of expert surgeons and constant guidance throughout your treatment and recovery.
Gone is the time when you had to fear major surgeries and go through a long and painful recovery period afterwards. Fistula laser treatment in Chennai has emerged as an efficient, quicker, and safer way to get rid of a fistula.
Fistula laser treatment at Hande Hospital is performed by our proficient surgeons who have extensive experience in this procedure. An optical fiber with a radial laser-emitting device is inserted into the fistula tube from the outside. The device emits laser beams circumferentially, causing the tissues to shrink and the fistula to collapse.
For more details on fistula treatment in Chennai at Hande Hospital, reach out to us at @ +91 9841011390
Advantages Of Fistula Laser Treatment In Chennai
- Almost painless
- Quick procedure, takes only about 30 to 50 minutes
- Safer than other treatment options
- Faster healing rate
- Above 90% success rate
- A short hospital stay after the treatment
- Few to no risks of complications during the surgery
- Few to no risks of postoperative complications
- No significant disturbance in sphincter function
- Less to no risk of urinary or faecal incontinence
- Fewer visits for postoperative checkups
- Quick return to your regular lifestyle
What Is A Fistula? (Types)
A fistula is an abnormal structure resembling a tube or a passage that connects two organs that are not naturally meant to be connected.
This connection could be formed between an internal organ and a body structure, two internal organs, or two points of the same organ.
Some common examples of a fistula include:
- Cervix and vagina
- Bowel and vagina
- Artery and vein
- Colon and body surface
- Anus and intestine
Among all these, anal fistula is the most common occurrence.
Based on the nature of the fistula tube, it is of four types:
1. Blind Fistula
The passage of this fistula is open only at one end.
2. Complete Fistula
This type of fistula opens at both ends.
3. Horseshoe Fistula
This type of fistula is often anal, connecting the anus to the body’s surface. This often leads to the expulsion of faecal matter through an opening other than the anal passage.
4. Incomplete Fistula
This fistula involves the formation of a tube-like structure from the skin (body surface) and projecting inwards. However, it does not connect with any internal organ.
When To See A Doctor?
If you notice any symptoms of a fistula, it is best to visit a doctor and get diagnosed. The symptoms of anal fistula may include soreness, pain, or discomfort around the anus, pus or blood in stools, uncontrolled bowel movement, or the appearance of a hole-like structure anywhere around the anus. Early diagnosis can help you eliminate the problem before it gets painful or complicated.
At Handa Hospital, we run you through a quick and precise diagnosis and help you in getting rid of the problem in a simple and effective manner.
Causes Of Fistula
A fistula can be formed from a number of triggers. Some common causes of fistula include:
- Physical trauma/injury
- Post-surgical complication
- Inflammatory diseases like Crohn’s disease
- Untreated or unhealed sites of an infection
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Diverticulitis (inflammation in the small pouches present in the colon)
- Tuberculosis
- Radiation (during cancer treatment, etc.)
- Cancer
Risk Factors For Fistula
The common risk factors that could lead to the formation of a fistula include:
- Physical trauma to the anal region
- Untreated or improperly treated infection or inflammation
- Inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease
- History of diverticulitis
- Previously untreated or improperly drained anal abscess
- Radiation therapy
- Surgery around the anal region
Complications Of Fistula
Some common complications associated with fistula include:
- Incontinence: You may lose control over urinary or faecal expulsion. This could happen sometimes, or regularly, based on the location and severity of the fistula.
- Improper Bowel Movement: Fistula may lead to difficulty in bowel movement. In some cases, the stool may get expelled from another opening of the fistula.
- Pain and Discomfort: Based on its location, a fistula may cause pain or discomfort when sitting, walking, laying down, or passing stool.
Prevention Of Fistula
While the formation of a fistula can be unpredictable, you may lower the chances of having it in the following ways:
- In case of an injury, get checked to ensure there is no internal damage. If left untreated, such cases can lead to fistula formation.
- If you experience infection or inflammation, see a doctor and make sure it is treated and healed properly.
- Get appropriate treatment for diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or any such condition and ensure it is healed and completely eradicated.
- Engage in protected intercourse to prevent the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that could lead to a fistula formation.
With proficient doctors, cutting-edge technology, and an around the clock staff support, Hande Hospital is the best hospital for fistula treatment in Chennai.
To get cost-effective anal fistula treatment in Chennai in a comfortable environment and under the guidance of experienced medical professionals, visit Hande Hospital.
To book an appointment for fistula laser treatment in Chennai at Hande Hospital, contact us at @+91 98410 11390