‘Fistulas‘ occur when an infected anal gland bursts into the anal canal internally, and then becomes a conduit for pus discharge to the anal skin area.
Anal Fistula Symptoms
Fistulas show up with pus discharge in the anal area (a ‘wet feeling’ at the anal area). They may also go through periods of pus discharge and quiet periods when there are no symptoms.
Anal Fistula Treatment
Bear in mind the path taken by a fistula can be varied and hence imaging such as an ultrasound scan (sonofistulogram) or an MRI will help delineate the path a surgeon will have to take to treat it correctly.
There are many new methods of treating fistulas such as VAAFT – video assisted anal fistula treatment, wherein a camera is used to move through and identify the tract and then destroy it with electric current and seal it with staples and glue. VAAFT is daycare surgery.
However the surgeon must make a decision whether a given fistula is best treated with open conventional surgery or VAAFT.
Anal Fistula Prevention
Hygenic toilet habits are very important in preventing infections in the anal canals (that lead to Fistulas).