Is the recovery from a second anal fistula surgery quick?

Written by Yu Xu Chao
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on December 25, 2024
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Whether the recovery from a second surgery for anal fistula is quick primarily depends on whether the surgical wound is infected and bleeding, and it is also directly related to the patient's own immunity and the size of the wound.

Generally, if the wound from the second surgery is relatively small and the patient does not have diabetes, tuberculosis, or inflammatory bowel disease, then the postoperative recovery tends to be quicker. Moreover, the patient should eat foods rich in high-quality protein and persist in changing dressings to avoid infection and bleeding of the wound, which also facilitates recovery after anal fistula surgery.

However, if the wound from the anal fistula surgery is larger and the second procedure involves the seton technique, and since the patient's second surgery is for a high complex anal fistula, the recovery time is relatively slower. Additionally, if the patient has diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease, this will directly affect the postoperative recovery.

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What will happen if an anal fistula is not treated?

An anal fistula is a chronic fistula and duct caused by an infection of the anal sinuses. If not treated, an anal fistula may repeatedly flare up. The consequences of repeated occurrences can lead to abscesses, peripheral spreading, and eventually extensive spreading of the loose tissue around the anus, which in severe cases may damage the anal muscles, leading to anal incontinence. If an anal fistula persists for a long time, there is also a possibility of malignant transformation.

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What department should I go to for anal fistula?

If you suspect you have an anal fistula, it is recommended to register with a proctology department for examination and treatment. The examination of an anal fistula mainly involves digital rectal examination, local perianal ultrasound, and probing with a probe. Typically, an anal fistula will have an external opening in the local anal area, and when the doctor touches near the dentate line of the anal canal with their index finger, an internal opening will be found in the anal crypt. Pressing on the local internal opening will cause secretions to flow out from it. Anal fistulas are relatively easy to diagnose, but further examinations such as perianal ultrasound and pelvic MRI are needed to clarify the direction of the fistula tract and the extent of the lesion. The treatment of an anal fistula primarily involves surgery, using techniques such as fistulotomy with seton placement to remove the local infection.

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How long does it take for an anal fistula to form?

An anal fistula is a tract left after an anal abscess bursts spontaneously or is surgically drained, generally consisting of a primary internal opening, a fistula tract, and a secondary external opening. Thus, an anal fistula and an anal abscess represent two stages of the same disease: initially, there is an anal abscess, and then, after the pus from the abscess is drained, an anal fistula forms. Typically, the transformation from an anal abscess to an anal fistula takes about two to three months, meaning that an anal fistula can form about three months after the abscess bursts.