Anal fistula surgery

Proper diagnosis and treatment of anal abscesses and fistulas is one of the most challenging areas of colorectal surgery. Even though the condition was known already in Hipocrates’ times (5th century BCE), treatment gudielines and methods have remained the same and the frequency of complications (faecal incontinence) and recurrence is considerable. Infections of perianal (and perirectal) tissues may be acute (abscess) or chronic (fistula).
These conditions usually result from infections of anal glands after their outlets have been blocked. Other cause of infections and abscesses in this region include Crohn’s disease, HIV, tuberculosis, neoplasms, trauma.

• seton drainage (two-stage method),
• advancement flap procedure,
• anal fistula plug (with biological material)
• fibrin glue treatment.

The decision on your surgery is taken during a pre-operative visit when a doctor assesses your eligibility, selects the optimum procedure and orders necessary tests.  The decision is made on the basis of test results and your general condition. Then a convenient date is selected.

• One week before the procedure you should have the following blood tests done: full blood count, electrolyte test, coagulation test, blood type, glucose, creatinine, Hbs antigen, ANTI-HCV.
• If you have other medical conditions, please consult your attending doctors and bring a certificate that there are no contraindications to the surgical procedure.
• If you are on anticoagulant treatment, you should switch to subcutaneous medications 7 days before the procedure.
• Consult with the attending doctor whether to take any medications on the day of the procedure.
• On the day of the surgery you should come to hospital on an empty stomach.

• the procedure is performed under spinal block,
• it lasts from 30 to 60 minutes.

After anal fistula surgery you can return to normal activity on the day after the procedure, but you should follow these guidelines:

• Physical exercise should be limited for up to one week after the surgery.
• The wound should be rinsed with Octenisept solution every day.
• Histopathology results should be collected 14 days after the surgery.