A perianal fistula is an abnormal connection between the inside of the anal canal and the skin near the anus. It often develops as a result of an infection or abscess in the perianal region, which is the area surrounding the anus. It can cause pain, discomfort, and drainage of pus, and may require medical intervention.
This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about perianal fistulas, including their anatomy, types, causes, symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatments, medications, surgeries, prevention strategies, and when to see a doctor.
Anatomy of the Perianal Space Fistula
- Structure
- The perianal area refers to the tissue surrounding the anus. The anus is the opening at the end of the digestive tract through which stool exits the body. Surrounding the anus are muscles, blood vessels, nerves, and skin.
- A fistula forms when an infected tunnel develops between two structures, usually the anus and the skin. This often starts as an abscess (a collection of pus), which then forms a passageway, or tunnel, that connects to the surface of the skin.
- Blood Supply
- The perianal region is richly supplied by branches of the inferior rectal artery, a division of the internal pudendal artery. The blood supply is important for healing but can also contribute to the formation of abscesses if the area becomes infected.
- Nerve Supply
- Nerves in the perianal region include the inferior rectal nerves, branches of the pudendal nerve. These nerves provide sensation to the area and control the anal sphincter muscles, which help with bowel movements. This is why a perianal fistula can cause pain and discomfort.
Types of Perianal Fistula
There are several types of perianal fistulas, classified based on their location and relationship to the sphincter muscles:
- Intersphincteric Fistula
- The most common type, running between the internal and external anal sphincter muscles.
- Transsphincteric Fistula
- Runs through both the internal and external sphincter muscles, sometimes extending to the skin near the buttocks.
- Suprasphincteric Fistula
- Passes above the sphincter muscles before exiting near the anus.
- Extrasphincteric Fistula
- Rare and more severe; the fistula tract runs above the muscles and may result from pelvic disease.
- Subcutaneous Fistula
- Occurs just under the skin and does not involve the anal sphincter muscles.
Causes of Perianal Fistula
- Anal abscesses (infection in the anal glands)
- Crohn’s disease (a type of inflammatory bowel disease)
- Ulcerative colitis (another form of inflammatory bowel disease)
- Diverticulitis (inflamed or infected pouches in the colon)
- Trauma or injury to the anal area
- Radiation therapy for cancers in the pelvic region
- Surgery in the anal or rectal area
- Tuberculosis (rare in developed countries)
- HIV/AIDS (immune system suppression)
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (e.g., syphilis, gonorrhea)
- Rectal cancer or tumors in the area
- Foreign objects in the rectum
- Chronic constipation (straining can cause tears and infections)
- Chronic diarrhea (irritation of the anal glands)
- Previous surgery complications
- Diabetes (increased risk of infections)
- Obesity (increased risk of abscesses and infections)
- Fistulizing hidradenitis suppurativa (chronic skin condition)
- Leukemia or other cancers that weaken the immune system
- Congenital abnormalities (rare cases, present at birth)
Symptoms of Perianal Fistula
- Pain around the anus, especially when sitting
- Swelling in the perianal region
- Drainage of pus from the opening near the anus
- Foul-smelling discharge
- Irritation or redness of the skin around the anus
- Bleeding from the anal area
- Difficulty controlling bowel movements (fecal incontinence)
- Fever (especially if an abscess is present)
- Itching around the anus
- Chronic discomfort in the anal region
- Recurrent abscesses
- A visible opening on the skin near the anus
- Tender lump near the anus
- Pain during bowel movements
- Fatigue due to chronic infection
- Foul-smelling sweat around the buttocks
- Feeling of fullness in the rectal area
- Nausea (if the infection spreads)
- Anorectal pain during urination
- Decreased appetite due to pain or discomfort
Diagnostic Tests for Perianal Fistula
- Physical examination (doctor visually inspects the area)
- Digital rectal examination (doctor inserts a finger into the rectum)
- Anoscopy (a tube is used to view the inside of the anus)
- Colonoscopy (examining the entire colon for other diseases)
- Fistulography (X-ray using contrast dye to outline the fistula)
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (detailed imaging of the fistula and surrounding tissues)
- Computed tomography (CT) scan (cross-sectional images)
- Endoanal ultrasound (using sound waves to create images)
- Blood tests (to check for infection or inflammation)
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (to detect inflammation)
- C-reactive protein (CRP) (a marker for inflammation in the body)
- Fecal occult blood test (to check for blood in the stool)
- Biopsy (taking a small tissue sample for testing)
- Pelvic ultrasound (to check for other complications)
- Proctoscopy (examination of the rectum)
- Sigmoidoscopy (examining the lower part of the colon)
- Contrast enema (X-ray with contrast liquid injected into the rectum)
- Fistula probe (inserting a special probe to locate the fistula tract)
- Barium enema (an X-ray using a barium solution to highlight abnormalities)
- Defecography (X-rays taken while the patient is having a bowel movement)
Non-Pharmacological Treatments for Perianal Fistula
- Sitz baths (warm water baths to soothe the area)
- High-fiber diet (to prevent constipation and ease bowel movements)
- Warm compresses on the area to reduce swelling
- Good hygiene (keeping the area clean)
- Using baby wipes instead of toilet paper for comfort
- Avoiding prolonged sitting
- Using a cushion when sitting
- Regular exercise (to promote overall health)
- Hydration (drinking plenty of water)
- Avoiding tight clothing around the anal area
- Yoga (to promote circulation and reduce pressure on the anus)
- Pelvic floor exercises (to strengthen muscles in the pelvic area)
- Acupuncture (to relieve pain and discomfort)
- Biofeedback therapy (to improve control of anal muscles)
- Massage therapy (for overall relaxation)
- Herbal remedies (e.g., witch hazel, aloe vera for soothing effects)
- Probiotics (to promote healthy gut bacteria)
- Avoiding spicy foods (which can irritate the anal region)
- Rest (taking time to recover and reduce strain on the area)
- Cold compresses (to reduce inflammation)
- Avoiding straining during bowel movements
- Proper toilet posture (squatting position can help)
- Using a stool softener (to make bowel movements easier)
- Avoiding alcohol (which can dehydrate and irritate the bowels)
- Hypnosis therapy (for pain management)
- Kegel exercises (to strengthen the muscles)
- Maintaining a balanced diet (rich in vitamins and minerals)
- Breathing exercises (for stress relief and pain management)
- Essential oils (like tea tree oil for antibacterial effects)
- Monitoring and self-care (regularly checking for symptoms and taking care of the area)
Drugs for Perianal Fistula
- Antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin, metronidazole)
- Pain relievers (e.g., acetaminophen, ibuprofen)
- Anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., corticosteroids)
- Topical numbing creams (e.g., lidocaine)
- Stool softeners (e.g., docusate sodium)
- Laxatives (e.g., polyethylene glycol)
- Immunosuppressants (e.g., azathioprine for Crohn’s disease)
- Biologic drugs (e.g., infliximab for Crohn’s disease)
- Antidiarrheal medications (e.g., loperamide)
- Proton pump inhibitors (for associated gastrointestinal issues)
- Antifungal medications (if fungal infection is present)
- Antiviral medications (for infections like HIV)
- Anticholinergic drugs (to reduce muscle spasms)
- Topical hydrocortisone (to reduce itching and inflammation)
- Rectal suppositories (to reduce rectal inflammation)
- Ointments with zinc oxide (for skin protection)
- Topical antibiotics (e.g., mupirocin)
- Anti-TNF therapy (e.g., adalimumab for inflammatory bowel disease)
- Enemas (medicated enemas for ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s)
- Nitroglycerin ointment (to relieve anal sphincter pressure)
Surgical Treatments for Perianal Fistula
- Fistulotomy (cutting open the fistula tract to allow it to heal)
- Seton placement (a thread is inserted to help drain the fistula)
- Advancement flap procedure (closing the internal fistula opening)
- LIFT procedure (ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract)
- Fibrin glue (injecting glue into the fistula to close it)
- Collagen plug (placing a plug to block the fistula)
- Endorectal advancement flap (repairing the fistula using tissue flaps)
- VAAFT (Video-Assisted Anal Fistula Treatment) (a minimally invasive technique)
- Stem cell therapy (experimental; using stem cells to promote healing)
- Reconstructive surgery (for complex fistulas)
Prevention Strategies
- Maintain good hygiene (clean the area well)
- Eat a high-fiber diet (to avoid constipation)
- Stay hydrated (drink plenty of water)
- Avoid straining during bowel movements
- Treat infections quickly to avoid abscesses
- Manage inflammatory bowel disease (if you have Crohn’s or colitis)
- Avoid trauma or injury to the anal region
- Regular exercise (to improve circulation)
- Avoid sitting for long periods (reduce pressure on the area)
- Maintain a healthy weight (to reduce the risk of abscesses)
When to See a Doctor
- Persistent pain in the anal area
- Fever with anal pain or swelling
- Foul-smelling drainage from the anus
- Recurrent abscesses or swelling near the anus
- Difficulty controlling bowel movements or fecal incontinence
- Bleeding from the rectum
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is a perianal fistula?
- A perianal fistula is an abnormal connection between the inside of the anus and the skin around the anus.
- What causes perianal fistulas?
- They are often caused by infections or abscesses in the perianal region, or conditions like Crohn’s disease.
- What are the symptoms of a perianal fistula?
- Pain, swelling, drainage of pus, and sometimes bleeding.
- How is a perianal fistula diagnosed?
- Through a physical exam, imaging tests like MRI, and sometimes colonoscopy.
- Can perianal fistulas heal on their own?
- Rarely; they usually require medical or surgical treatment.
- What non-surgical treatments are available?
- Sitz baths, high-fiber diet, antibiotics, and pain relievers.
- What surgeries are used to treat perianal fistulas?
- Fistulotomy, seton placement, and advancement flap procedures are common.
- How long does it take to recover from fistula surgery?
- Recovery can take several weeks, depending on the type of surgery and the complexity of the fistula.
- Can perianal fistulas recur?
- Yes, especially if the underlying cause, like Crohn’s disease, is not well-managed.
- What are the risks of not treating a perianal fistula?
- Ongoing infection, abscess formation, and even systemic infection.
- Is a perianal fistula contagious?
- No, it is not contagious.
- Can diet affect fistula healing?
- Yes, a high-fiber diet can promote healing by preventing constipation.
- Are there any home remedies for perianal fistulas?
- Sitz baths, proper hygiene, and a healthy diet can help manage symptoms.
- How can I prevent a perianal fistula?
- Maintain good hygiene, manage bowel conditions, and avoid straining.
- When should I see a doctor for a perianal fistula?
- If you have persistent symptoms like pain, swelling, or drainage.
This guide covers the essential details about perianal fistulas to help you understand the condition and make informed decisions about treatment and management. If you experience any symptoms or have concerns, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider.
Disclaimer: Each person’s journey is unique, treatment plan, life style, food habit, hormonal condition, immune system, chronic disease condition, geological location, weather and previous medical history is also unique. So always seek the best advice from a qualified medical professional or health care provider before trying any treatments to ensure to find out the best plan for you. This guide is for general information and educational purposes only. Regular check-ups and awareness can help to manage and prevent complications associated with these diseases conditions. If you or someone are suffering from this disease condition bookmark this website or share with someone who might find it useful! Boost your knowledge and stay ahead in your health journey. We always try to ensure that the content is regularly updated to reflect the latest medical research and treatment options. Thank you for giving your valuable time to read the article.
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