How to cure anal fistula completely

Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on September 02, 2024
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The radical treatment of anal fistula mainly involves surgery, with the choice of surgery being the anal fistula cutting and ligation operation. This primarily utilizes a ligature or elastic band to loop through the local sphincter, thereby achieving slow cutting and drainage of secretions. Anal fistula is considered a local infectious lesion at the anus, and the fundamental principle of the surgery is to remove the local fistula tract and the wall of the fistula completely through cutting and ligation, and after thoroughly removing the local infection, fresh granulation tissue can regrow. Due to the prolonged location of the local lesion in anal fistulas, postoperative wound dressing and drainage are very important. The wound can be disinfected daily with povidone-iodine, and gauze impregnated with oil can be used for pressurized drainage to help facilitate the flow of local secretions.

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Written by Yang Dong
Colorectal Surgery Department
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causes of anal fistula

Anal fistula is one of the common diseases in proctology. The formation of an anal fistula is caused by infection of the anal sinuses and anal glands. Due to damage to the anal sinuses and anal glands, bacteria from the intestines enter these areas. As immunity weakens, the bacteria cause localized inflammation, which then leads to the formation of an abscess. After the abscess bursts, an anal fistula forms. This is the pathogenesis of anal fistula.

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Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
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Can a twenty-year anal fistula turn into cancer?

Firstly, anal fistulas can become cancerous. Statistical data show that the probability of malignant transformation in anal fistulas is 1/1000, and such transformations are relatively rare in clinical practice. However, anal fistulas can change, but the timing of malignant transformation varies. Generally, the longer the duration of an anal fistula, the higher the chance of it becoming cancerous. The factors contributing to this transformation typically include chronic inflammation, long-term irritation, bacterial infection, and stimulation from medications, all of which can lead to cancerous changes.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Anal fistulas secondary to which disease?

An anal fistula generally originates from a perianal abscess, which is an infection focus formed near the anal sinuses in the local area of the anus. During its onset, there is obvious local redness, swelling, heat, and pain accompanied by the formation of a pus cavity containing pus. As the condition of the perianal abscess worsens, the local pus cavity will rupture and discharge pus, thus forming an anal fistula. After the rupture of a perianal abscess, its external opening cannot heal by itself, and there will be intermittent recurring discharge of pus. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out surgical treatment as soon as possible after the formation of an anal fistula, to prevent the enlargement of the local pus cavity or thickening of the fistula wall, which complicates later surgery and treatment and significantly impacts the patient's normal life.

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Written by Yu Xu Chao
Colorectal Surgery
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What are the precautions after undergoing anal fistula surgery?

Because anal fistula surgery primarily involves removing the internal opening and the fistula tract, the postoperative wound is relatively large. Postoperative care mainly requires consistent dressing changes to ensure the wound drainage remains unobstructed, avoiding infection or false healing. Additionally, patients should develop good bowel habits, maintain smooth bowel movements, and avoid withholding stool. Otherwise, this may lead to dry, hard stools, causing severe pain during defecation or damaging the wound, which could result in bleeding or edema. In terms of diet, patients should choose foods rich in roughage to ensure smooth defecation and eat foods rich in high-quality protein to supplement the amino acids the body needs, promoting wound healing as much as possible. Moreover, after surgery, patients must use an anal wash or potassium permanganate solution for sitz baths. Since the postoperative wound is open and contaminated, changing dressings is especially important.

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Written by Yu Xu Chao
Colorectal Surgery
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Is an anal fistula close to the anus considered high or low position?

In general, anal fistulas close to the anus are considered low anal fistulas. Clinically, anal fistulas are classified as either high or low based on the levator ani muscle as the boundary. Those located above the levator ani muscle are considered high anal fistulas, while those below are considered low anal fistulas. Clinically, the treatment for anal fistulas primarily involves surgical intervention. Options include fistulectomy, which involves the removal of the internal opening and the fistula tract. Post-surgery care may include the use of anal cleansing agents, red oil gauze strips, and golden ointment for dressing changes to promote wound healing. It is important to maintain smooth bowel movements and consume a light diet. High, complex anal fistulas may easily damage the anal sphincter or even the anorectal ring, leading to fecal incontinence. Therefore, during surgery, the thread hanging method may be chosen to avoid excessive damage to the anal sphincter.