Condition Lookup

Start typing to search for a specific condition, or select a specialty to see all of its conditions

Sub-Category:

Chronic Disorders

Number of Conditions: 1

Fistula-in-Ano (Anal Fistula)

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: Rectum and Anus Disorders

Sub-category: Chronic Disorders

Symptoms:
persistent discharge from a small opening near the anus; pain during bowel movements; swelling or redness around the anus; recurrent abscess formation; fever in some cases

Root Cause:
A tunnel forms between the inside of the anal canal and the skin near the anus, often as a result of untreated or poorly healed perianal abscesses.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, anoscopy, and imaging studies like MRI or endoanal ultrasound to determine the extent.

Treatment:
Surgical interventions, such as fistulotomy, seton placement, or advanced procedures like LIFT (ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract).

Medications:
Postoperative pain management with NSAIDs, and antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin and metronidazole ) if there is associated infection or abscess.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 1 in 5,000 people annually; more common in males and those with Crohn's disease.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Crohn's disease, prior perianal abscess, trauma, or infection.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with appropriate surgical management, though recurrence is possible in complex cases.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Recurrence, incontinence, abscess formation, and systemic infection in severe cases.