An anal fistula is a small tunnel that originates from an opening inside the anal canal and ends at an external opening near the anus. An anal fistula is the result of a previous anal abscess. Up to 50% of people with an abscess develop a fistula. However, a fistula can also occur without an abscess. As with abscesses, there are several types of fistulas depending on the portion of the rectum and anus they affect. This drainage tunnel remains open, and connects the infected anal gland or anal canal to an opening in the outer skin surrounding the anus.
Surgery is usually required to treat an anal fistula.
Types of Anal Fistulas
- Superficial fistula
- Intersphincteric fistula
- transsphincteric fistula
- suprasphincteric fistula
- extrasphincteric fistula
- external anal sphincter
A patient with an abscess may have pain, redness, or swelling around the anus or anal canal. Other common symptoms include feeling sick or tired, fever, and chills.
Patients with fistulas have similar symptoms, as well as drainage from a hole near the anus. A fistula is suspected if these symptoms recur in the same area repeatedly.
What treatment do we offer?
Minimally invasive treatment and laser surgery
An abscess can be surgically drained through a simple procedure. An incision is made in the skin near the anus to drain the infection. This can be done in your surgeon’s office under local anesthesia or in an operating room under general anesthesia. Some patients with more severe disease may require several surgeries to resolve the problem.
Laser surgery for the treatment of fistulas: anal and perianal fistulas can also be treated with laser techniques, whether in the case of simple fistulas (conventional fistulotomy) or in complex fistulas (which involve a significant amount of the anal sphincter).
Laser fistula surgery consists of a sealing and sphincter-preserving technique where a probe is used, which is introduced into the anal fistula and laser energy is applied, this will cauterize the entire fistulous tract, closing it permanently, thus preventing its future appearance.
