Anal Fistula

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Small infected ducts may develop in the area between the end of the intestine and the skin near the anus, usually as a result of infection of the anal glands. This is called an anal fistula. According to recent studies, anal fistula is considered a common condition, with an annual incidence of he about 2 per 10,000 people, with a peak incidence between the ages of 30 and 50. In general, men are more prone to this condition than women.


CAUSES

The leading causes of an anal fistula are clogged anal glands and anal abscesses. Other, much less common, conditions that can cause an anal fistula include:


  • Crohn’s disease (an inflammatory disease of the intestine)

  • Radiation (treatment for cancer)

  • Trauma

  • Sexually transmitted diseases

  • Tuberculosis

  • Diverticulitis (a disease in which small pouches form in the large intestine and become inflamed)

  • Cancer


SYMPTOMS

The signs and symptoms of an anal fistula include:


  • Frequent anal abscesses

  • Pain and swelling around the anus

  • Bloody or foul-smelling drainage (pus) from an opening around the anus. The pain may decrease after the fistula drains.

  • Irritation of the skin around the anus from drainage

  • Pain with bowel movements

  • Bleeding

  • Fever, chills and a general feeling of fatigue



Laser treatment for fistula-in-ano, also known as FiLaCR (fistula laser closure) or LAFT (laser ablation of fistula tract), has gained increasing attention in the last decade.


The procedure consists of delivering laser energy at 360° within the lumen of fistulas by means of a radial fiber which is slowly withdrawn from the external orifice. Laser ablation is limited to the lumen of fistulas making the technique ‘sphincter-saving’.


Its main indication is the treatment of high fistulas and, in general, of all fistulas where more invasive treatments may impair anal continence.



Dr. Suvro Ganguly is one of the best Surgeons in Kolkata in the Department of Oncosurgery with special interest in Coloproctology. He joined Apollo Gleneagles Hospital in December 2018 and is practicing as a Surgeon in the Department of Oncosurgery with special interest in Coloproctology. He specializes in colorectal surgery, cancer surgery, advanced laparoscopy, advanced GI surgery and laser proctology.

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