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Close Off The Pain
Anal fistula is the second of a double whammy, the first being a painful anal abscess. It should be promptly treated to prevent infection recurring on the same site.
An anal fistula is a small tunnel that persists after recovery from an anal abscess or an anal gland infection. It has one end opening on the inside of the anal canal, and the other on the outside, at the skin surface near the anus.
Some fistula first manifest as a small pimple around the anus - which bursts and heals, then recurs. They can also occur after an abscess has been treated by a small surgery. The wound may start to heal but never closes completely, creating a tunnel.
It is very important for the internal opening to close, or the fistula will not heal.
It can cause bleeding and discharge when passing stools, and can be painful. In some cases, an anal fistula causes persistent drainage, or, in cases where it is on the outside of the channel that is blocked, the result may be recurrent anal abscesses.
Among the typical symptoms are:
Most of the time, diagnosis is straightforward, although for some complex fistula, further tests like endoanal ultrasound imaging or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be necessary to ascertain the entire length of the fistula tract. This is also the case for surgical treatment, which is usually a straightforward procedure to open up the tunnel and allow the wound to heal from the inside.
It gets more complicated for deeper tracts, as a deep incision can cause damage to the muscles and result in incontinence later on. For these, more innovative options are explored, including:
The only cure for an anal fistula is surgery. Complications from this or any kind of surgery are a reality, so this procedure is best performed by a colorectal specialist to reduce the risk of losing bowel movement control. Most of the time, fistula surgery can be performed on an outpatient basis or with a short hospital stay.
If properly healed, the problem will usually not return. However, it is important to follow the directions of your doctor to prevent recurrence.