Anal Fistula Surgery

About the Treatment

An anal fistula is an abnormal tract connecting the inside of the anal canal to the skin around the anus, usually following an abscess. Since it rarely closes on its own, treatment is surgical. The technique depends on the tract and how much sphincter muscle it crosses: superficial fistulas can be opened with fistulotomy; higher or more complex fistulas may require placement of a seton (a thread that drains and guides the tract) or sphincter-sparing techniques such as LIFT and the advancement flap. At Femi Saúde, the coloproctology team maps the tract with a physical exam and, when necessary, MRI or endoanal ultrasound, and chooses the approach that balances curing the fistula with preserving continence.

Benefits