What Is Perianal Fistula ?
The Perianal Fistula is a disease that is very common and widespread. This is usually a disease to inflammatory origin, which in most cases stems from an anal fissure unrecognized or neglected, which infects the tissues deepened, until it flows out.
In any case, the Perianal Fistula can be defined as a small tunnel, starting from the anus or rectum, is poured into the tissue up to the outer skin.
Perianal Fistulas are not all alike
Even the variety is so great that to date has not yet been able to classify them unambiguously. The variety depends on two factors:
1) the fact that it is a single tunnel (this is called a simple fistula), or having one or more branches inside or outside (something complex fistula);
2) the location of the fistula (or its multiple branches) with respect to internal and external sphincters of the anus and in relation to other spaces that surround the anus, rectum and pelvic organs . In connection with this second factor assumes different names and fistula treatment options vary very important.
The anal fistula usually occurs at the beginning, though not always, as a painful event is very important, that is an anal abscess. When this heals, because it is affected by surgery or because you open yourself out, usually leaving a small pimple on the outside that can not give any problems, or give only modest and sporadic serous secretions or blood: is the outlet of the external fistula, and is in direct comin with the anus. If tolerated or ignored, the fistula tends to move in time episodes of abscess and still being able to evolve and deepen fistula create new branches in the tissues, making it more difficult and less safe surgical treatment that inevitably, sooner or later will be required.
Some chronic intestinal diseases such as Crohn’s disease, tend to produce many Perianal Fistulas: in these cases, treatment should not be limited to work on the fistula, but must be combined, and that the fistula on the intestine, for a satisfactory outcome for the patient and the physician.
Perianal Fistula treatment options
Options are mainly surgical, but surgery can vary greatly from case to case. In some cases, outpatient treatment of minimal discomfort for the patient, and that results in a single run of a few minutes without anesthesia, in other cases there may be a need for repeated surgical interventions with prolonged medication for months. In any case the most appropriate care should be determined by a medical expert proctologist.