Does An Anal Fistula Have To Be Repaired

Anal Abscess/Fistula

What is a perianal abscess?
A perianal abscess is an infection in a mucous-secreting gland in the anal culvert effectually your anus.

What is a perianal fistula?
A perianal fistula, virtually e'er the event of a previous abscess, is a small-scale passage connecting the anal gland from which the abscess arose to the skin where the abscess was tuckered.

What causes an abscess?
An abscess is formed when a minor gland just inside the anus becomes infected from leaner or stool trapped in the gland. Y'all did goose egg to cause this infection. Certain conditions — constipation, diarrhea, colitis, or other inflammation of the intestine, for example — may make these infections more than likely.

What causes a fistula?
After an abscess has been tuckered, a passage may remain between the anal gland and the peel, resulting in a fistula. If the gland does not heal, there volition be persistent drainage through this passage. If the outside opening of the fistula heals first, a recurrent abscess may develop.

What are the symptoms of an abscess or fistula?
Perianal abscesses are generally manifested by intense anal pain and swelling. Fever is possible. Drainage of the abscess, either on its own or with an incision, relieves the pain and pressure. Fistulas are associated with drainage of blood, pus, or fungus, but they are generally not painful.

Does an abscess always become a fistula?
No. A fistula develops in up to 50 percentage of all abscess cases. There is no way to predict if this volition occur. If drainage persists for two to three months, the diagnosis of perianal fistula is made.

How is an abscess treated?
An abscess is treated by draining the pus through an opening made in the skin near the anus. Ofttimes this can be washed in the md's office using a local coldhearted. A large or deep abscess may crave drainage in the operating room. Hospitalization may be necessary for patients susceptible to more serious infections, such as diabetics or people with decreased immunity.

How is a fistula treated?
Surgery is generally necessary to treat a perianal fistula. This usually involves cut a small portion of the anal sphincter muscle to open the passage, joining the external and internal opening, and converting the passage into a groove that volition then heal from the inside out. Almost fistula surgery can be performed on an outpatient footing. If the fistula involves too much sphincter muscle, a two-phase procedure or more complicated repair may be necessary.

What tin can I expect later fistula surgery?
Discomfort after fistula surgery tin can be mild to moderate for the first week and can be controlled with hurting medication. The corporeality of time lost from piece of work or school is commonly minimal. There will be no limitation on action. Soak the affected surface area in warm water 3 or iv times a 24-hour interval. Stool softeners may as well be recommended. You may demand to wear a gauze pad or minipad to forestall the drainage from soiling your clothes. Bowel movements volition not affect healing.

Will an abscess or fistula recur?
If proper healing occurs, the problem ordinarily will non return. If your bowels are otherwise normal, y'all are probably not at higher take chances for developing another abscess.

Learn more almost Anal Abscess/Fistula from the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) Website