A brief clinical history of your symptoms followed by examination of the rectum is done. Your doctor may ask you to strain or cough during the examination. A digital rectal examination is performed followed by Proctoscopy ( visualisation of the rectum by inserting a scope ).
Fistula Surgery is the surgical procedure to remove the muscle blob from the anal outlet. Fistulas must be timely treated as they do not heal on their own. Also, there is a risk of developing cancer in the fistula tract if left untreated for a long period. We classify anal fistulas by their location to anal sphincter muscles, such as the following: The surgery for anal fistulas, also known as fistulotomy, involves cutting along the whole length of the fistula to open it up. This makes it an open scar that heals as a flat muscle. After the fistula surgery, the pain and swelling in the anal area will vanish. You will have painless bowel movements, and notice a reduction of anal abscesses. The treatment for anal fistulas carries several risks, such as infection from the course of antibiotics. If the severity rises, the case needs to be treated in hospital. There can also be episodes of recurrence of the fistula. After the fistula operation, the patient can go home as soon as the effect of the anesthetic wears off. You will be able to pass urine and can be comfortable in eating and drinking. Since we employ a general anesthetic, a responsible adult must accompany you home and stay with you for 24 hours. Before discharge, you will be advised about post-operative care, as well as the painkillers and laxatives. Most times, fistula surgery is successful if proper care is taken with operational preparations. Yes, fistula can recur multiple times post-operations also. One must take corrective measures to prevent the development of the fistula in the anal canal. The healing will not last more than a few hours. You can start drinking water shortly after the procedure and start eating when hungry. You can get out of bed a few hours after surgery. With some pain after the procedure, we can control it with painkillers. A small amount of bleeding is expected, so wearing a pad will protect your clothes from getting soiled. Yes, you can within a day. Any responsible hospital will make you go through a prior consultation of your health condition before suggesting surgery. If you have any other concerning issues, then you can share them with the surgery team at Atharva Hospital, and we will take the necessary course of action for you. Fistula is an abnormal passage between a hollow or tubular organ and the body surface, or between two hollow or tubular organs, particularly around the anal region. It is different from piles and fissures in the sense that fistulas are an opening of the anal cavity with pus discharging out of it. No, the fistula needs to be treated properly with medication, ointment application, or in some cases, surgery. Some of the symptoms of fistula development are swelling coming out of the anal opening, a sense of incomplete evacuation after a bowel movement, constipation, Pain in the rectal region, and ulcerated causing bleeding. There are no such effective home remedies for fistula treatment. Our advice would be not to fall for such half-cooked information, as it can be further detrimental to your health. The doctor, depending on the severity of the condition, may suggest ointment application, and medication for the fistula treatment, in case he thinks that surgery might not be eminent in your case. An untreated fistula can cause mundane complications such as drainage, sepsis, perforation, and even peritonitis. It is not a life-threatening condition but can trigger serious complications. Yes, patients suffering from Fistula are suggested to drink plenty of water and eat foods rich in fiber, which supports your system in wound healing. Antibiotics play a major role in the treatment of anal fistulas for patients with systemic symptoms. We also suggest postoperative prophylactic antibiotic therapy for 7-10 days for preventing anal fistulas after incision and drainage of perianal abscess. Any individual facing the symptoms of anal fistula, like inflammation around the anal opening, fever, or pain in the rectum and anus, should immediately consult a qualified proctologist. An anal fistula tunnel develops between the end of the bowel and the skin near the anal opening. Usually caused by an anal infection, fistula results in a collection of pus in the nearby tissue. Depending on the severity of the condition, a doctor can suggest a fistula surgery. Anal fistula surgery can be simple or complex, depending on the fistula. The most common anal fistulas are simple, inter-sphincteric fistulas, involving a small amount of muscle. Different surgical techniques employed to treat anal fistula treatment: Fistulotomy is the most common type of surgery for anal fistula. It involves cutting the whole length of the fistula to open it up and heal it as a flat scar. A fistulotomy is the most effective treatment for many variations of anal fistulas. Over 95% of success rate is boasted by the Atharva Hospital in the anal fistula surgery. The potential complications associated with anal fistula surgery are: For mobility, you can pad over the opening of the fistula to absorb the drainage. Most people can go back to their normal routine within one to two weeks of surgery. It might take several weeks to months for your fistula to completely heal. Yes, they can if the fistula has not been completely removed or if there is still infection in the area. In a minimum of two to three weeks There are no long-term implications of anal fistula surgery. Although, the complete healing may require 3-4 months. If the medications and other corrective measures are rendered ineffective and the symptoms get severe with time. No, anal fistulas require proper treatment with medications, dietary restrictions, and in some cases operational surgery. The common symptoms of fistula development are swelling out of the anal opening, a sense of incomplete evacuation, constipation, pain in the rectal region, and ulceration causing bleeding. There is no such treatment as conservative for anal fistulas. Although a non-surgical option, the fibrin glue treatment can be considered a traditional option. It involves injecting glue into the fistula under a general anesthetic. It becomes imperative in case the medication and other non-surgical options prove ineffective. Antibiotics for the infected area around your fistula, and Infliximab or Remicade to reduce inflammation and heal fistulas You are at a risk of developing cancer in the fistula tract if it is left untreated for a long period. The success rate is higher for surgical treatment at a whopping 95%. Fistula procedures are generally outpatient procedures. Post-surgery, you will have prescription pain medication to take home with you, along with some instructions for self-care, which may include: It’s like taking a small nap! All you will feel is a small needle prick during your preparation for the procedure. The entire surgery takes about 30 minutes. You will normally be able to start drinking water shortly after the procedure and can start eating as soon as you are hungry. You will be able to get out of bed a few hours after surgery. You are likely to have some pain after the procedure that is easily controlled with painkillers. You can expect a small amount of bleeding and wearing a pad will protect your clothes from getting soiled. If your operation is planned as a day care procedure you can go home as soon as the effect of the anaesthetic has worn off, you have passed urine and you are comfortable, eating and drinking. Since a general anaesthetic is used, it is advisable that a responsible adult take you home and stay with you for 24 hours.Before you are discharged you will be advised about post-operative care, painkillers and laxatives. You will normally open your bowels within 2-3 days of your operation. This may be uncomfortable at first and there could be a sense of ‘urgency’ (need to rush to the toilet). You may notice mild blood loss after each bowel movement but this will gradually reduce over the next few days. Maintain hygiene, and wash and keep the operation site clean. It is important to maintain a regular bowel movement that should be well formed but soft. You may need to take prescribed laxatives for 2-4 weeks. Eating a high fibre diet and increasing water/fluid intake will help. What is fistula surgery, and when is it necessary?
What are the common types of fistula surgery?
How is fistula surgery performed?
What is the expected outcome of fistula surgery?
What are the potential risks and complications associated with fistula surgery?
What is the recovery process like after fistula surgery?
Is fistula surgery always successful, or can fistulas recur?
How long does it take to heal after fistula surgery?
Can I resume normal activities and diet after fistula surgery?
When should I consult a specialist for fistula surgery?
What is a fistula, and how is it different from other medical conditions?
Can fistulas heal on their own without treatment?
What are the common symptoms of a fistula?
Are there home remedies or conservative treatments for fistulas?
Is surgery the only option for fistula treatment?
What are the potential complications of untreated fistulas?
Can dietary changes or lifestyle modifications help in fistula management?
What role does medication play in treating fistulas?
When is it advisable to consult a healthcare provider for fistula treatment?
What is an anal fistula, and why is surgery often required for treatment?
What are the different surgical techniques used for anal fistula treatment?
How is anal fistula surgery typically performed?
What are the expected outcomes and success rates of anal fistula surgery?
Are there risks and potential complications associated with anal fistula surgery?
What is the recovery period like after anal fistula surgery?
Can anal fistulas reoccur after surgical treatment?
When can I resume regular activities, including work and exercise, after anal fistula surgery?
What are the long-term implications of anal fistula surgery?
When should I consult a specialist for anal fistula surgery?
Can anal fistulas resolve on their own without treatment?
What are the common symptoms of an anal fistula?
What are the conservative treatments available for anal fistulas?
When is surgical intervention necessary for anal fistula treatment?
What medications are prescribed to treat anal fistulas, and how do they work?
Are there potential complications of untreated anal fistulas?
What is the success rate of anal fistula treatment, both conservative and surgical?
When should I consult a healthcare provider for anal fistula treatment, and what can I expect during the evaluation process?
What do I feel during the procedure?
What happens after the operation?
When can I go home?
What are my visits to the toilet going to be like?
When should I seek help?