Surgery for Anal Fistula
This webpage will give you information about surgery for an anal
fistula. If you have any questions, you should ask your GP or other
relevant health professional.
What is an anal fistula?
An anal fistula is an abnormal connection between the lining on
the inside of your anal canal (back passage) and the skin near your
anus.
Most anal fistulas are caused by an abscess (a collection of
pus) which has developed in your anal canal.
The pus can drain away onto the skin on its own or by an
operation. A fistula happens when the track, made by the pus on the
way to the surface of the skin, stays open.
What are the benefits of surgery?
If the operation is successful, you should no longer have any
infection or pain.
Are there any alternatives to surgery?
Most anal fistulas do not heal on their own. Surgery is usually
needed to treat the problem.
What does the operation involve?
Surgery for anal fistula is usually performed under a general
anaesthetic.
To lessen the risk of bowel incontinence (when you pass a motion
without wanting to) your treatment may involve several operations
over a number of months.
The type of surgery you need will depend on where the fistula is
(see figure 1).
Figure 1 - Different positions of an anal fistula:
a Below the sphincter muscle
b Through the sphincter muscle
c Above the sphincter muscle
- If the fistula is below the sphincter muscles, your surgeon
will try to drain the pus from the fistula. They will then cut it
open to the skin and leave the wound open so that it can heal with
healthy tissue.
- If the fistula has branches that pass through the sphincter
muscles, your surgeon may place a special stitch (called a seton
stitch) in the fistula to allow pus to drain easily.
- If the fistula reaches above your sphincter muscles, you may
need to have a temporary colostomy (bowel opening onto the skin).
However, this is not common.
What complications can happen?
1 General complications of any operation
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Unsightly scarring
2 Specific complications of this operation
- Difficulty passing urine
- Involuntarily passing wind or loose faeces
- Bowel incontinence
How soon will I recover?
You should be able to go home the same day or the day after.
You should rest for the first few days, walking as little as
possible, to help the wound to heal.
The wound often takes several weeks to heal completely and you
may need to wear a pad until then. In a small number of cases, the
fistula can come back.
Summary
An anal fistula can cause continued infection and pain. Symptoms
usually get worse without an operation.
Acknowledgements
Author: Mr Jonathan Lund DM FRCS (Gen. Surg.) and Miss Gillian
Tierney DM FRCS (Gen. Surg.)
Illustrations: LifeART image copyright 2006 Lippincott Williams
& Wilkins. All rights reserved.
This document is intended for information purposes only and
should not replace advice that your relevant health professional
would give you.
Copyright © 2008 EIDO Healthcare Limited.
The operation and treatment information on this website is
produced by EIDO Healthcare Ltd and is licensed by Ramsay
Health Care UK.
The intellectual property rights to the information belong
exclusively to EIDO Healthcare Limited.
You may not copy, print out, download or otherwise reproduce any
of the information other than for your personal, non-commercial
use.
The information should not replace advice that your relevant
health professional would give you.
Hospitals offering this treatment
- Ashtead, Surrey, Ashtead Hospital
- Bingley, Yorkshire Clinic
- Caterham, North Downs Hospital
- Chelmsford, Springfield Hospital
- Chorley, Euxton Hall Hospital
- Colchester, Oaks Hospital
- Doncaster, Park Hill Hospital
- Gloucester, Winfield Hospital
- Halesowen, West Midlands Hospital
- Hitchin, Pinehill Hospital
- Kettering, Woodand Hospital
- Middlesbrough, Tees Valley Treatment Centre
- Nottinghamshire, Nottingham Hospital
- Ormskirk, Renacres Hospital
- Peterborough, Fitzwilliam Hospital
- Preston, Fulwood hospital
- Reading, Berkshire Independent Hospital
- Salford, Oaklands Hospital
- Salisbury, New Hall Hospital
- Sawbridgeworth, Rivers Hospital
- Stafford, Rowley Hospital
- Torquay, Mount Stuart Hospital
- Truro, Duchy Hospital