Fistulas are small channels formed between the end of the intestine and the skin surface. Anal Fistula occurs when these canals form in the anal area.Anal fistulas can cause disturbing symptoms such as skin irritation and pain. This situation requires a good treatment process. These treatment methods may sometimes include surgical interventions.
How Do You Know If You Have Anal Fistula? What Symptoms Does It Show?
Symptoms of anal fistula may include:
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Skin irritation around the anus
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Throbbing pain that gets worse when sitting, going to the toilet or when you cough,
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Smelly discharge from the anus
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In the stool blood seen
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Swelling and redness around the anus
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High fever
When Should You Consult a Doctor?
When the symptoms of anal fistula are persistent, intestinal diseases can be considered first. When symptoms become frequent and chronic, a doctor should be consulted. Various procedures can be performed by the doctor to make a diagnosis.
These procedures:
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Advanced physical and rectal examination:
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Looking through a proctoscopy (a special telescope with a light on the end to look inside your anus)
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Such as an ultrasound scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, or computed tomography (CT).
What Are the Factors That Cause Anal Fistula?
Most anal fistulas develop after an anal abscess. Some of these abscesses can lead to anal fistula.
Other causes of anal fistulas include:
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Crohn's disease - a long-term disease in which the digestive system becomes inflamed,
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Infection of small sacs that can stick to the side of the large intestine (colon),
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Tuberculosis (TB) or HIV diseases,
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Side effects of surgeries performed around the anus.
What are the Treatment Methods for Anal Fistula?
Anal fistulas usually occur when left untreated. Surgical intervention may be required.
Treatment options are generally as follows:
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fistulotomy - involves cutting the entire length of the fistula so that the fistula is straight. It turns into a scar
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seton method- is where a piece of surgical thread called seton is placed into the fistula and left in the fistula for a few weeks for treatment.
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Other techniques - There are also treatment methods such as filling the fistula with a special adhesive, blocking it with a plug, and covering it with a tissue flap.
All these methods have different advantages and risks. The method to be applied to you will be decided according to the condition of the anal fistula.
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