Anal Fistula Surgery

Anal fistula is one of the common anorectal diseases. An anal fistula is a small tunnel (tract) with an internal opening in the anorectal canal and an external opening in the skin near the anus. It usually occurs after an anal abscess.

The diagnosis of anal fistula can be easily made by detecting the external opening of an anal fistula.  Anal fistulas are classified by their location in relation to the anal sphincter muscles (intersphincteric transphincteric, suprasphincteric, and extrasphincteric fistula). Doctors may use anoscope and a probe to identify the fistula path. If a fistula appears particularly complicated or in an unusual place, doctors may also do the fistulography and colonoscopy for further evaluation.

It is important to treat an anal fistula to relieve the symptoms and prevent re-infection. The goal of treatment is to cure the fistula with as little impact as possible on the sphincter muscles. Patients treated for anal fistulas at One Stop Procedure Clinic benefit from skilled surgeons specialized in treating common anorectal diseases.

Fistulotomy: The surgeon first probes to find the fistula's internal opening. Then the surgeon cuts the tract open and curettes it, then the wound left open or it is stitched in a way that the fistula is laid open.

Fistulectomy: The surgeon may lay open only the segment where the tracts join and remove the remainder of the tracts. The surgery may be performed in more than one stage or repeated if the entire tract can't be found.

For the complicated anal fistula, you will be referred to see a colorectal surgeon for the further evaluation and treatment. The treatment options include Fistulectomy with Advancement Rectal Flap, Seton Placement, and Fibrin Glue.