ANALABSCESS AND ANAL FISTULA Whatis an analabscess? ‘An anal sess isan infected cavity filled with pus that develops near she anus or the buttock Thepusbuildsup under pressirebeneath theskn causing pain and swelling. Whats an anal fistula? ify, Ao ana fscul ussally develops.s the est of an anal soscess. 8 stula s amedical tem describing a tunnel or an abnormal tract ‘that formsunder the kin ane connects previous bscess infection & etveen the skin on the buttocks outside the anus to the anal canal insice What causes ananal abscess and an analfistula? Inside she anal canal are small anal glands These glands may get Jivected when bacteria enters or when the glands get clogged. Certain conditions such 35 clits orinfammation of the towel can somatinas mate these infections mare likely The ‘pus may build up under prasure benasth theskin daveleping’n abeces The presure may be rlived with thedizcharge ofpus cutof theerteral skin. However after the pusin the abscess has been drained the tunnel or tract may persist connecting the anal gland from lich the abcess aroseto the outside skin, Whanthisaccurs persistant dichergeframthe outside skin opening indicates the persistence ofthis tunnel, now termed a fistula. Ths ‘tule tunnel can se infected repestediy with repasted decharge ofpus. Once davelapad ‘an anal fstularaelyhealson itsown, ‘What are the symptoms ofan anal abscess or fistula? [an abscess often causes symptoms of pain ane swelling around the anus Fever. chills ard {atiguemaybepresent Aral fstula may alsocauseskindisconfort and iitation around the ‘ausas well as discharge of ous (hich often relives the pain temporaril. t comnoniy fects active aultsinthe 30to £0 years azz aroun, Hows ananalabscess or fistula treated? The bet trexment fr anal sos is sue ‘ y csinase. Antibctcs sre not eal = nocd ‘tematveto ring the pun been atts ‘ . o not uly penetrate and treat the fluid within an abscess. Surgical drainage is performed under nassthesia bymating an opening in theskin of the nal abscessto drain the pusfrom the infected area © nd therefore alo ceiavethepressure ‘Surgeryis necessary te treat andcurean anal fistula Fistula surgeryis usually elaivey ssightiorward.ttoften involvesopening up the fstula ‘unre! er tract. thiswill require cutting 2sall portion oftheanal sphincter muscle ‘Theintemnal and extemal openirgsofthe tunnel are thenconvertedinto agronveto allow {nto eal from inside out Mest tstulasrgery can bedone the same time as the abscess surgery. aday-case procedure Very raelythe anal fistula isdeep.oriscomplexwith more ‘tnanone trac in tise stuations specializes inapingten wl 2 raqurecang aversive surgcaltecnniques arenesces.‘Theciscomfort after anal absessor fstula surgery soften mid and canbe controled with psinillrs Thesmourt tine eff work or schoo! ie ususllymiim. The apan wound st ‘the anus woule nesd to be cleaned regulary by using avarm water say to the wound ‘bout 3to 4 tines aday It isnonmal to have some blood-stained discharge frm the open ‘wound. Isrecommendad to waar #gauzepad or hygiene pac to prevent the cischarge from stsining clothes Soo\ softeners and mild loxstive may 98 prescrized. Bowel novementswvillnat ffectthewoundhesing process ‘What ae the chances of recurtence of anabscess or fistula? ‘The wound may take up te 4 wesks to heal completely athough itis usually net Luncomfortasle after 2weeks If properiyhesle, the problemwill usually not return. But ‘the wound lst heal it indicates recurence: thechance of thisisverylow.Itsimportart to folow thedlirecionsofthesurgeon te help preventrecurrence,