Fistula Treatment at Medstar Multispeciality Hospital
Fistula is an abnormal pathway that forms between two body structures: the intestine and the skin, associated with chronic pain, infection, and discomfort. Our dedicated surgeons and medical staff at Medstar can help ensure that you receive the most complex treatments for fistulas, providing effective relief over time.
What is Fistula?
Fistula is a tunnel-like structure that connects one body part with another. The bacteria and wastes make their way through, hence allowing infections and inflammation. Fistula is mainly caused by the following conditions
- IBD-Inflammatory bowel disease
- Diverticulitis
- Crohn's disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Trauma or injury
- Treatment of Fistula
Fistula can be treated using some varieties of our hospital treatments. These include:
- Conservative management:It primarily involves management by antibiotics and pain management so that the symptoms are controlled
- Fistulotomy: Open surgery where the fistula is cut open, and once exposed, it is allowed to heal from inside
- Itching or irritation around the anusFistulotomy: Open surgery where the fistula is cut open, and once exposed, it is allowed to heal from inside
- Fistulectomy: Surgical removal of the fistula
Healing Process
- Some pain, swelling, and discomfort are expected during the treatment.
- Healing and also complications can be prevented if a diet rich in nutrients facilitates the healing of the wound.
- Avoid straining such as lifting, or strenuous exercises medications for pain as prescribed to you.
- Follow up on your physician's schedule for review care and maintenance of the wound.
FAQ
An anal fistula is an abnormal opening near the anal opening of the infected blocked anal gland. This gland fails to drain inside the anal region and forms another external opening near the anus through which it releases its contents.
This abnormal opening called anal fistula does not heal on its own and needs surgical treatment for permanent healing.
Symptoms of Fistulas are:
- Constant throbbing anal pain
- Frequent abscesses
- Foul-smelling discharge
- Painful bowel movements with or without anal bleeding
- Anal skin irritation
- Fever
- Enlarged swollen lymph nodes
These symptoms might go off for some time, but they recur till the permanent healing of the infected gland or tissue connected with the fistula.
Fistulas can cause a lot of discomfort and serious complications if left untreated. All symptoms like anal pain, anal bleeding, fever, and pus discharge will worsen if left untreated. These worsened symptoms can easily hamper the daily routines of the patient.
In advanced cases, fistulas can be a source of infection, which might spread to the whole body and can lead to low blood pressure, organ damage, or even death.
Mostly fistulas do not heal on their own without medical treatment. They might close for some time due to a decrease in the infection of the tissues but tissue might get infected again and the tract may reopen due to repeated infection. So surgical treatment is necessary to completely heal them and prevent the recurrence of fistulas.
At MEDSTAR, we provide long-lasting fistula healing treatment with the help of our experienced surgeons and newly devised technologies.
It may take 3-12 weeks for the anal fistula to heal completely. The patient has to take complete rest for the first 24 hours after surgery. Usually, the patient can resume daily life routines after 3-5 days post-surgery.
The time taken for the complete healing of the fistula also depends on the medical condition and age of the patient.
Lasers are the most effective treatment for fistulas. Laser procedures are painless, resulting in excellent fistula healing without post-surgical wounds. These procedures preserve the anal sphincters so that patient can control bowel movement post-surgery. The recurrence rate of the fistula is also low after laser treatment
At MEDSTAR, we have highly skilled surgeons to treat anal fistulas with the use of lasers.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.webp)
.jpg)