ANAL ABSCESS AND FISTULA

HELPFUL MEDICAL INFORMATIONS FOR OUR PATIENTS

PATIENT INFO

HELPFUL MEDICAL INFORMATIONS FOR OUR PATIENTS

PATIENT INFO

HELPFUL MEDICAL INFORMATIONS FOR OUR PATIENTS

PATIENT INFO

WHAT IS AN ANAL ABSCESS?

An anal abscess is a painful condition in which a collection of pus develops near the anus. An anal abscess is believed to originate from the anal glands, which are located between the internal and external anal sphincter and drain into the anal canal.



If the outlet of these glands becomes blocked, an abscess can form which can eventually extend to the skin surface. This often appears as a painful boil-like swelling near the anus.

WHAT IS AN ANAL FISTULA?

An anal fistula is a small channel that can develop between the anal canal and the skin near the anus. They can occur if the abscess does not heal properly after the pus has drained away. It is estimated that between one in every four people with an anal abscess will develop a fistula. Less common causes of anal fistulas include: Tuberculosis or Crohn’s disease (a long-term condition in which the digestive system becomes inflamed).

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF AN ABSCESS?

Superficial anal abscesses are often associated with:


  • Painful swelling which worsens overtime when left untreated
  • Skin irritation around the anus, including swelling, redness, and tenderness
  • Discharge of pus

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF A FISTULA?

Patients with fistulas commonly have a history of a previously drained anal abscess. Symptoms include:


  • Anorectal pain
  • Drainage from the perianal skin
  • Irritation of the perianal skin
  • Per Rectal bleeding

HOW IS AN ABSCESS TREATED?

Minor surgery may be performed to treat the abscess. Local anesthesia or IV sedation may be used on the patient before an incision over the abscess is made. This opening enables pus to be drained from the infected cavity. After surgery, pain medications and antibiotics will be prescribed.

LOW VS. HIGH ANAL FISTULA

Low Fistula

The internal opening of the fistula begins below the puborectalis. The track passes through few or no sphincter muscle fibres and is close to the skin e.g. superficial fistulas, low intersphincteric fistulas, and low transsphincteric fistulas.


Low fistulas are easy to manage in the absence of complications and pose little threat to continence.


High Fistula

The internal opening of the fistula begins above the puborectalis. The track passes through or above a large amount of muscle; its route is more complicated and further away from the skin. e.g. high intersphincteric fistulas, high trans-sphincteric fistulas, suprasphincteric fistulas, and extrasphincteric fistulas.

Management of a high fistula is more complex than that of a low fistula.


A) Extrasphincteric Fistula

occurs outside the external anal sphincter and penetrates the levator muscle into the rectum


B) Transphincteric Fistula

crosses both the external and internal anal sphincter


C) Submucous Fistula

tracks beneath the internal and external anal sphincters


D) Intersphincteric Fistula

tracks between the internal and external anal sphincter muscles in the intersphincteric space


E) Suprasphincteric Fistula

travels outside the internal and external sphincters over the top of the puborectalis muscle and penetrates the levator muscle before tracking down to the skin

HOW IS A LOW FISTULA TREATED?

Fistulotomy involves cutting along the whole length of the fistula to open it up so it heals as a flat scar.


It is the most effective treatment for many anal fistulas. However, as the fistula often courses through the anal muscles, this method would require cutting through a portion of the sphincter muscles which could result in incontinence. Hence, ultrasonography is used to mark the location of the fistula. If the fistula is too high, more muscle would need to be cut. In order to preserve the muscle, other procedures below may be recommended instead.

HOW IS A HIGH FISTULA TREATED?

Seton Technique involves a piece of surgical thread that is left in the fistula for several weeks to keep it open. This allows it to drain and helps it heal. To cure a fistula, tighter setons may be used to cut through the fistula slowly.

Advancement Flap Procedure may be considered if your fistula passes through the anal sphincter muscles and if undergoing a fistulotomy puts you at high risk of incontinence.


This involves cutting or scraping out the fistula and covering the original opening with a flap of tissue taken from inside the rectum.


Although its 85% success rate is lower than that of a fistulotomy, this procedure avoids the need to cut the anal sphincter muscles.

Ligation of the Intersphincteric Fistula Tract (LIFT) procedure is designed as a treatment for fistulas that pass through the anal sphincter muscles, in which case a fistulotomy would be too risky.


LIFT procedure is based on secure closure of the internal opening and removal of infected cryptoglandular tissue through the intersphincteric approach. Essential steps of the procedure include: incision at the intersphincteric groove, identification of the intersphincteric tract, ligation of intersphincteric tract close to the internal opening and removal of intersphincteric tract, scraping out all granulation tissue in the rest of the fistulous tract, and suturing of the defect at the external sphincter muscle.

Ligation of intersphincteric tract

Anal Fistula Plug is a minimally invasive and sphincter-preserving alternative to traditional fistula surgery. It is made from complex collagen obtained from animals. The plug is a conical device that is placed by being drawn through fistula tract and suturing it in place.


Once implanted, the plug incorporates naturally over time into the human tissue (human cells and tissues will ‘grow’ into the plug), thus facilitating the closure of the fistula.


*It is generally less effective than fistulotomy and the results may not be long-lasting

Fistula Plug is applied to help seal the fistula

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE BEFORE PATIENTS FEEL BETTER?

Discomfort after fistula surgery can range from mild to moderate for the first week and can be managed with the use of painkillers.

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF RECURRENCE OF AN ABSCESS OR FISTULA?

Despite proper treatment and apparent complete healing, fistulas can potentially recur, with recurrence rates dependent upon the particular surgical technique utilized. Should symptoms suggesting recurrence arise, it is recommended that you find a colorectal surgeon to re-assess and manage your condition.

Share by: