Anal Fistula

Anal Fistula

It is an abnormal opening made between the skin and the muscular layer of the anal canal.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms include:

• Pain
• Bleeding
• Difficulty in defecation
• Skin tag near the anal opening

Causes

It usually occurs due to the infection of the anal gland. It is also occur in certain diseases like crohn’s disease and inflammatory bowel disease.

Diagnosis

Your doctor diagnose the anal fistula by performing following tests:

• Physical examination of anal canal
• Flexible endoscopy to see the condition of anal opening
• Ultrasound to see the extent of disease

Treatment

Aim of the treatment is to treat the infection first which causes the fistula. Antibiotics are the first-line treatment of anal fistula.