At first, an anal fistula may result in pain or discomfort, but if not treated, it can progress to more severe complications, including infections, sepsis, or, in rare instances, cancer. That gives you the bottom line, however, let’s learn more about signs you may have an anal fistula and why early treatment is key.
What Is an Anal Fistula?
An anal fistula is an abnormal tunnel that forms between the inside of the anus and your outside skin surrounding the anus. Many times they are the complication of an infection in an anal gland. This causes an abscess or infected wound which drains pus from the anus. This abscess can create a tunnel through your anus to the skin outside.
The fistula looks like a hole in your skin which connects to the abscess. It can drain blood, pus, or feces, and may leak especially if you touch the area around it.
Common Signs of an Anal Fistula
You will feel the following symptoms with an anal fistula:
- Severe intense pain near the anal area that becomes worse when you sit down, have a bowel movement, or cough.
- Redness and swelling near and surrounding the anus. This signifies an active infection known as cellulitis.
- Drainage somewhere near your anus. It may be a smelly liquid of blood, pus, or feces.
What Are Risk Factors?
If you are a man, have had a perianal abscess in the past, and also have an inflammatory bowel disease IBD like Crohn’s, you have a higher risk to develop an anal fistula.
In addition, if you are immunocompromised and have frequent infections, have had radiation or surgery in that area, or have a chronic sexually transmitted infection, you are at a higher risk.
How Are Anal Fistulas Diagnosed?
our colorectal surgeons,will be able to diagnose an anal fistula by using an imaging test like an MRI, an endoscopic ultrasound, or a fistulography, which maps the tunnel using a contrast dye, and you may need an examination under anesthesia.
What Are Treatment Options?
The main treatment goals are to repair the fistula so it does not recur, and to protect the anal sphincter muscles to prevent incontinence. The surgical team will look at both conservative and surgical treatments.
Antibiotics won’t heal the fistula. Other surgical treatments are required.
These can include:
- Fistulotomy: A procedure that opens up the fistula so it can heal from the inside-out, and it is usually an outpatient procedure.
- Fistula Closure Methods: Plugging up the fistula with glue or a plug closes up the inner opening. Your surgeon then fills the tunnel with a material that your body will absorb.
- Reconstructive Surgery: Procedures that close the fistula while preserving anal sphincter function to prevent incontinence.
- Cutting Seton Procedure: Your surgeon places a suture or a rubber band (seton) and slowly tightens it. The fistula drains and heals with less chance of incontinence.
Determining the Difference Between Hemorrhoids and Anal Fistula
Many people may think the pain and discomfort they are feeling is simply hemorrhoids. It the pain and inflammation does not lessen in a few weeks or becomes worse, it is best to find an experienced physician like Rochester Colon & Rectal Surgeons, P.C. .
Don’t wait to seek care.
Anal Fistula Diagnosis and Treatment in Rochester, NY
If you are experiencing the symptoms of an anal fistula, don’t wait to contact Rochester Colon & Rectal Surgeons at (585) 222-6566 for an examination and diagnosis.
It is essential to get treatment as soon as possible before complications set in.
The nation’s cancer prevalence is showing concerning patterns, according to the most recent study from the American Cancer Society. More and more young people are receiving cancer diagnoses, including cervical, breast, and colon cancer. The rise in colorectal cancer diagnoses, which is currently the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women under 50 and the top cause of cancer deaths in men, is especially concerning.
DAY TWO