Is the recovery from a second anal fistula surgery quick?

Written by Yu Xu Chao
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on December 25, 2024
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Whether the recovery from a second surgery for anal fistula is quick primarily depends on whether the surgical wound is infected and bleeding, and it is also directly related to the patient's own immunity and the size of the wound.

Generally, if the wound from the second surgery is relatively small and the patient does not have diabetes, tuberculosis, or inflammatory bowel disease, then the postoperative recovery tends to be quicker. Moreover, the patient should eat foods rich in high-quality protein and persist in changing dressings to avoid infection and bleeding of the wound, which also facilitates recovery after anal fistula surgery.

However, if the wound from the anal fistula surgery is larger and the second procedure involves the seton technique, and since the patient's second surgery is for a high complex anal fistula, the recovery time is relatively slower. Additionally, if the patient has diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease, this will directly affect the postoperative recovery.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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What to do about the false healing of anal fistula?

If a false healing of the wound occurs after local surgical excision of an anal fistula, it is mainly due to improper dressing changes by the patient and a lack of timely observation of the local wound. It is recommended to open the superficially healed wound to allow it to regrow. In particular, the patient needs to change the dressing and observe the wound daily to prevent the situation where the internal part of the wound has not healed, but the external opening appears healed. During dressing changes, hemorrhoid creams and other drugs that promote mucosal healing can also be applied locally and inside the anal canal to further promote the healing of the internal opening. Only when the internal opening has fully grown should treatment that promotes healing of the external opening be applied. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician, and do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Best treatment method for anal fistula abscess

The best treatment method for anal fistula and perianal abscess is surgical treatment, which is also the only curative method. Conservative treatment using drugs alone can only alleviate local inflammatory symptoms and cannot achieve complete cure. The main surgical method is the cutting and threading technique. This involves threading and ligating the infected area and the sphincter muscle. Through the slow cutting and drainage action of the ligature, the infection focus is removed while protecting the anal sphincter. Postoperatively, it is also important to pay attention to disinfecting and draining the local wound, ensuring proper dressing changes, and preventing poor drainage that could lead to infection or recurrence. It is advised that patients avoid spicy and irritating foods for the first six months after surgery.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Is anal fistula prone to recurrence?

If active anal fistulotomy and thread-drawing surgery are carried out after the onset of an anal fistula, it generally does not recur easily. However, if patients do not pay attention to good dietary and defecation habits after being discharged, it may lead to the reoccurrence of the anal fistula. This is because there are multiple anal crypts within the anal canal, and removing the local anal crypts during this episode does not guarantee that other anal crypts will not become inflamed or infected in the future. Especially when patients consume excessive amounts of chili peppers or alcohol, or when they experience diarrhea, it can potentially trigger another infection of the anal crypts. Therefore, to prevent recurrence of anal fistulas, it is necessary to cultivate good defecation and dietary habits to avoid the reoccurrence of anal fistulas.

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Written by Yu Xu Chao
Colorectal Surgery
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How to determine if you have an anal fistula

First, you can judge whether you have an anal fistula based on symptoms. Patients with anal fistula often experience recurrent perianal swelling and pain, as well as discharge of pus and blood, which may also have a foul odor, with secretion often found on their underwear. In such cases, patients should consider whether they have an anal fistula. Additionally, patients with anal fistulas in the early stages often have perianal abscesses, which generally tend to form fistulas after the abscess ruptures spontaneously or is surgically drained. Patients can also visit the colorectal surgery department of a hospital for a digital rectal examination, where the fistula tract and the internal opening can be felt. MRI scans of the perianal region can also be performed to determine the type and severity of the anal fistula. Clinically, once an anal fistula is detected, it is advisable to opt for fistula excision surgery to completely cure the anal fistula by removing the internal opening and the fistula tract. Post-surgery, it is essential to persist with dressing changes to avoid wound infection and bleeding.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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What should I do about an anal fistula?

Anal fistula is a disease that occurs when repeated infections in the anal crypts extend to the surface of the skin around the anus. Once formed, there are typical fistula tracts with both internal and external openings. Simple anti-inflammatory drug treatments can only relieve the symptoms of inflammation during the acute phase of an anal fistula. For the fistula tracts themselves, these treatments do not completely cure the condition. It is recommended that patients with an anal fistula undergo a fistulotomy as soon as they are diagnosed. Through surgery, the fistula tract and its walls can be completely excised, completely removing the local lesion, thereby further accelerating the regrowth of fresh granulation tissue locally.