Fistula – Causes, Symptoms & Modern Surgery
An anal fistula is an abnormal tunnel that forms between the anal canal and the skin near the anus.
It usually develops after an untreated infection or abscess.
If ignored, it can lead to continuous discharge, pain, repeated infections, and difficulty in sitting.
The important part?
Anal fistula does NOT heal on its own.
It requires proper evaluation and modern surgical treatment for complete cure.
🔍 What Is an Anal Fistula?
A fistula is a small tunnel with an internal opening in the anal canal and an external opening on the skin.
It occurs when an infected anal gland forms an abscess, and after the abscess bursts, a tract remains.
There are different types of fistulas:
1️⃣ Simple Fistula
- Single tract
- Shallow
- Easy to treat with minimally invasive options
2️⃣ Complex Fistula
- Multiple tracts
- Deep
- Common in chronic infections, Crohn’s disease, diabetes
- Often requires advanced laser surgery
⚠️ Symptoms of Anal Fistula
Most symptoms persist for weeks or months. Common signs include:
- Pain around the anus
- Recurrent swelling or boil
- Discharge of pus or watery fluid
- Blood stains
- Itching & irritation
- Difficulty in sitting
- Fever during infection
- Redness or swelling near the anal opening
Symptoms may temporarily reduce when pus drains, but the fistula comes back — making surgery necessary.
🧪 Common Causes of Fistula
An anal fistula may develop due to:
- Untreated anal abscess
- Recurrent infections
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Crohn’s disease
- Tuberculosis
- Trauma to anal region
- Long-standing fissure
- Diabetes
- Sexually transmitted infections (rare)
Anyone can get a fistula — including young adults, males and females.
🩺 How Fistula Is Diagnosed
Your fistula specialist may perform:
- Clinical examination
- Proctoscopy
- MRI Fistulogram (gold standard for mapping the tract)
- Ultrasound of perianal region
- Blood tests to check infection
- Screening for associated problems like fissure or piles
Accurate mapping of the fistula is essential for choosing the best treatment.
💊 Why Fistula Needs Surgical Treatment
A fistula is a chronic tunnel lined with infected tissue.
Medicines alone cannot heal it, but may reduce temporary symptoms.
Only surgery can close the tract and prevent recurrence.
🔥 Modern Fistula Treatments
1️⃣ Laser Fistula Surgery (FiLaC / Laser Ablation)
- Minimally invasive
- No cutting of muscle
- Less pain
- Faster healing
- Lower recurrence
- Daycare procedure
- Ideal for many simple & moderate fistulas
2️⃣ VAAFT (Video-Assisted Anal Fistula Treatment)
- Camera-based technique
- Surgeon sees the tract internally
- Precise laser sealing
- Minimal tissue damage
- Excellent for complex tracts
3️⃣ LIFT Procedure (Ligation of Intersphincteric Fistula Tract)
- Preserves sphincter muscle
- Suitable for medium-depth tracts
- Very good success rate
4️⃣ Fistulectomy / Fistulotomy
- Traditional method
- Best for very simple superficial tracts
- Higher downtime
Your fistula surgeon will recommend the safest and most effective method depending on the fistula type and location.
🏋️ Recovery & Aftercare
- Same-day discharge for laser procedures
- Mild discomfort for a few days
- Sitz bath for soothing
- High-fibre diet
- Antibiotics & pain relief as advised
- Avoid long sitting initially
- Follow-up to ensure proper healing
Modern laser options allow quick return to work and reduce recurrence significantly.
🩺 Why Choose Dr. Ankur Bhanushali for Fistula Treatment?
- Advanced expertise in laser & minimally invasive fistula surgery
- Accurate mapping with MRI guidance
- State-of-the-art techniques like Laser Ablation, VAAFT & LIFT
- Faster recovery & minimal pain
- Daycare surgery options
- Personalized treatment plan
- Complete colorectal & digestive care
Early treatment prevents complications and improves long-term results.
📞 Book Consultation for Fistula Treatment
If you experience discharge, repeated swelling, or a painful boil near the anus, get it checked early.
Timely surgery = complete cure and prevents chronic infection.
📍 Full Clinic & Hospital Details (UNCHANGED – EXACT FORMAT)
🏥 Dr. Ankur Surgical Clinic
Shop No 4, Laxmi Krupa, Edulji Road, Charai, Thane West – 400602
📞 +91 86910 33066
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🏥 Aayush Multispecialty Hospital
👨⚕️ Dr. Ankur Bhanushali – General & Laparoscopic Surgeon
1st Floor, Marigold Apartment, Almeda Road, Panch Pakhdi, Thane West – 400602
🌐 https://drankurbhanushali.com
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