Anal Fistula Your Questions Answered and Treatment Options-Koshys Hospital
ANAL FISTULA |
What is
an anal fistula?
It is
an abnormal connection between your anal canal (back passage) to
the surrounding skin which can happen due to various reson explained
below.
What
causes anal fistula?
Most fistulas
are caused by simple hair follicle infection which was not treated
completely/properly.
There are
millions of hair follicles in one’s body. Any one of them around anal
canal can get infected. Infection is more in people who sit for long time
and more so who sit in unhygienic or hot/sweating environment (ex: long
distance drivers). When the infection happens and there is pus collection
if it is drained appropriately then chances of fistula formation decreases
drastically.
If pus
is not drained then body has to discharge the pus and there are only
two directions. If it bursts out of skin and infection gets completely
cured then fistula does not form. If it bursts into anal canal then
fistula is formed or worst case it bursts into skin but residual infection
spreads slowly in different directions then complex fistula is
formed. There are certain conditions like Crohn’s which predisposes one to
having fistula. These conditions are rare in India.
Are
there different kinds of fistula?
Fistula’s can
be classified depending on the involvement of sphincter muscles
and internal opening as shown in the picture.
What
are the symptoms of Fistula?
Recurrent
discharge of pus around the back passage which stops and starts . People
end up taking antibiotic each time and with time fistula will become more
complex and difficult to treat. If there is collection of pus then it cam
present at abscess in which case abscess needs to be treated first then fistula
at a later stage.
How
is Fistula treated?
Only way to cure the fistula is by surgery. Most
of fistula are simple and do not involve sphincter muscles so cutting it
out fully will cure the fistula. If fistula involves sphincter muscles
then cutting out fistula in one operation is not solution as it might cure
fistula but it will one with incontinence. If sphincters are damaged one would
loose control over the passing the stool and might have to run to toilet every
time one gets sensation or there is prospect of passing on its own. So in these
scenarios patient will need to have patience and might need two/three
operationsBy
Dr. Maruthesh Gowda
MBBS , FRCS -
Laproscopic Surgery , M.R.C.S-General Surgery
Comments
Post a Comment