A fistula-in-ano, also called an anal fistula, is a tunnel that develops between the skin surrounding the anus and its inside. And aside from the anal glands occasionally getting infected and causing an abscess that will either drain on its own or require surgery to open up the skin around anus. This drainage tunnel is kept open and directly related to the anal canal or infected gland.
Anal fistulas are commonly managed surgically but nonoperative approaches exist as well. Searching for Fistula Treatment in Ahmedabad, Gujarat? Sadbhavna Hospital doctors can be the best choice for you as they are the Best Fistula Surgeons in India. Visit to get the best result for your anal fistula treatment.
An irregular tube that forms from inside your anus to the skin outside is called an anal fistula. It typically appears where your anal glands are, in the upper region of your anus (butthole). A fistula may develop due to the infection's outflow from these glands. This infection is referred to as a perianal abscess. Anal fistulas are often referred to as perianal fistulas.
Fistulas may develop anywhere in your body, either between organs or from one organ to an opening in your skin. They usually occur after your tissues have inflamed for an extended period, either due to an injury or disease. Chronic inflammation and infection can eventually ooze into the surrounding tissues, particularly when pus needs to be drained. It can open the path between the incision and the surrounding tissues.
There are similarities between the symptoms of an anal fistula and an anal abscess, such as pain and swelling around the anal area, fever, chills, and a general feeling of being sick and tired. Other symptoms that may be present in nearby areas of the anal opening include skin redness, discomfort, or itching, in addition to pus discharge.
Doctors perform examinations to check anal fistula infection. It includes checking the area around the anus to identify the depth and direction of the fistula tract, which drains from the external opening. If the fistula is not visible on the skin surface, then doctors switch to further testing, such as anoscopy. It is a tubular instrument that is inserted into the anus to allow the doctor to see the anus and rectum.
You may get the suggestion of an MRI or ultrasound to get a better understanding of the fistula infection. Certain situations demand to perform a sigmoidoscopy, which includes inserting a thin tube into the colon's bottom section. It is commonly preferred for people under the age of 50 with no risk factors for colon cancer. A colonoscopy can be a recommendation for persons over the age of 50 or those who are at high risk. A flexible tube is inserted into the rectum during a colonoscopy to inspect the entire colon and detect any other issues.
Surgery is usually needed to repair anal fistulas because they rarely heal on their own. The effective treatment strategy is determined by the fistula's size and complexity. The best choice for examination is to assess under general anaesthesia. The surgeon will discuss the available options and recommend the best one. Anal fistula surgery is performed under general anaesthesia, and most patients do not need to stay overnight. The goal is to close the fistula while avoiding sphincter muscle injury, which eliminates bowel incontinence.
The major treatments are mentioned below :
The most common surgery for anal fistulas is a fistulotomy, which requires cutting the whole length of the fistula and letting it heal as a flat scar. This surgery is highly beneficial for many fistulas. However, it is generally for those who do not pass through many sphincter muscles. Hence, it reduces the risk of incontinence. If a tiny piece of the sphincter muscle is removed, the surgeon will try to lower the risk of incontinence. Different procedures may be suggested if the risk is regarded as excessive. Our doctors mostly use this for Fistula Treatment in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
If a fistula penetrates a considerable section of the anal sphincter muscle, the surgeon may advise seton placement. It is a surgical thread left in the fistula for several weeks to keep it open, allowing it to drain and heal without causing sphincter muscle damage. Loose setons help with drainage but may not repair the fistula, whereas tighter setons may gradually cut through the fistula, necessitating numerous surgeries. Alternatively, the surgeon may recommend several fistulotomy operations or other treatments.
If your fistula goes through the anal sphincter muscles and a fistulotomy puts you in danger of incontinence, you should consider an advancement flap procedure. It involves removing the fistula and closing the hole where it entered the bowel with a flap of tissue from within the rectum. Although this operation has a lesser success rate than a fistulotomy, it does not involve cutting the anal sphincter muscles.
The LIFT procedure (Ligation of Intersphincteric Fistula Tract) method is used to treat fistulas that pass through the anal sphincter muscles in cases where a fistulotomy would be risky. The technique consists of making a slit in the skin above the fistula, separating the sphincter muscles, sealing the fistula at both ends and cutting it open to lie flat. The treatment has provided promising results, but because it has only been in use for a few years, further research is required to determine its short- and long-term use.
Endoscopic ablation involves inserting an endoscope, a long, thin tube with a small camera, into the fistula and then passing an electrode through it to seal it. This approach is successful and poses no significant safety risks.
A radially emitting laser fibre is used to close a fistula. During the procedure, a small laser beam is precisely focused on the fistula tract, providing energy that causes the tissue to contract and seal. This method is very delicate and is designed to assist in fistula healing while protecting the surrounding tissues.
Fibrin glue treatment is the only nonsurgical option for anal fistulas. A surgeon injects glue into the fistula while under general anaesthesia. The glue seals the fistula and facilitates healing. Although it is less effective than fistulotomy for uncomplicated fistulas and may not produce long-term outcomes, it is an appropriate option for fistulas that run through the anal sphincter muscles since it avoids cutting these muscles.
Untreated fistulas often do not heal independently and might cause long-term consequences. Chronic infection is a major challenge. It arises from a Recurrent fistula (frequently caused by an abscess or infection). It may seem that it has cleared, but returns, creating new abscesses and pain. The fistula may appear to heal by shutting at the opening, only to reopen later owing to persistent infection and drainage, resulting in a cycle.
Above that, a chronic fistula may occasionally grow in new directions, resulting in new branching channels and skin holes that are more difficult to patch. Longstanding anal fistulas have occasionally been related to anal cancer and chronic inflammation and erosion are known risk factors.
Anal fistula management, like any other type of treatment, includes risks. Major risks include infection, which might require antibiotics and, in severe cases, hospitalisation needed. The fistula can also return after surgery. Bowel incontinence is another potential problem, although severe incontinence is rare, and every effort is made for Fistula prevention. The level of risk varies depending on the location of the fistula and the procedure used. It is crucial to discuss possible risks with our Fistula Surgeon in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, before beginning therapy.
To maintain a healthy, enhanced quality of life and avoid this type of problem, or if experiencing any symptoms that indicate fistula symptoms, visit Sadbhavna Hospital for the best Fistula Treatment in India. Your symptoms can indicate a simple fistula or a complex fistula. Based on the examination by our Fistula Surgeon in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, you will be directed to whether surgery or abscess drainage can solve your problem and help in infection control.
For fistula tract treatment, self-healing is not an option. If the fistula tract is not treated for an extended length of time, there is a chance that cancer may develop there. The majority of fistulas are easy to cure. The tract and pocket inside can be fully removed, or the tract or fistula can be opened.
A fistulotomy is the most effective method of treating fistulas. Fistulas that pass through the sphincter muscle are typically not opened since doing so would require severing the sphincter muscle, which could result in loss of control over gas or faeces.
An anal fistula can be avoided by eating a fibre-rich diet, drinking lots of fluids and water, and using fibre supplements like bran to prevent constipation. In addition to keeping a healthy weight, avoiding sedentary behaviour may prevent the person from developing a fistula.
The mission of Sadbhavna Hospital, is to provide healthcare with quality patient care, and patient service, with attention to clinical excellence, along with a commitment to assure the very best healthcare at affordable rates for those we serve, to restore the joy of health.
Copyright 2023 Sadbhavna Hospital. Design & Developed by Sadbhavna Hospital - Dr. Rakesh Sanol Top Laparoscopic Surgeon
