Following the lifting of restrictions by the Government, we would like to reassure all our patients that the way we interact with you will not be changing. All staff and consultants will continue to wear face coverings and maintain social distancing, and we require our patients and visitors to do the same, so that we are all protected. Typically, this condition does not heal on its own, so surgery is generally recommended. Without surgery, you can experience unpleasant symptoms and you may have repeated abscesses. There are several different procedures. The most common type of surgery is a fistulotomy.
You had an anal fistulotomy. This surgery opens and drains an anal fistula and helps it heal. You may be worried about having a bowel movement after your surgery. You will likely have some pain and bleeding with bowel movements for the first 1 to 2 weeks. You can make your bowel movements less painful by getting enough fibre and fluids, and using stool softeners or laxatives.
Yet despite their frequency, they still remain a little-discussed symptom of inflammatory bowel disease IBD. Research has shown that fistulas affect up to 50 percent of us living with IBD within 20 years of diagnosis. Depending on the location, symptoms vary — and while some minor fistulas can be treated with antibiotics, many require surgical intervention. This typically involves a fistulotomy , which is a procedure that opens up the fistula to allow it to heal properly.
Try out PMC Labs and tell us what you think. Learn More. Anal fistula is among the most common illnesses affecting man.