Fistula of the rectum or anal fistula is a channel that appeared due to pathology. The channel is also called fistulous passage. It begins in the rectum, and ends in the fatty tissue surrounding it, or on the skin of the buttocks. This disease is chronic, has two periods - the stage of exacerbation and the stage of remission.
Types of fistula
1. Anal fistula, in relation to the intestinal cavity, refers to the appearance.
2. By the nature of the secret that stands out from it, it can be:
- mucous membranes;
- purulent;
- feces.
3. Depending on the number of holes and their location, the anal fistula is of two types - a complete rectal fistula and incomplete.
Full rectal fistulas
Their inlet is located in the wall of the rectum, the outlet is on the skin in the perineum, not far from the anus. Quite often, with this form of fistula, there are several inputs. All of them are located on the wall of the rectum. Over time, they merge into one channel. The outlet is placed on the skin.
Most often, full fistulas are curved and sinuous. In this regard, it is impossible to penetrate them using a probe. So the diagnosis is not easy to put. Experts suggest that a complete fistula is where the infection occurred. Complete fistulas are considered external.
Incomplete rectal fistulas
Incomplete fistulas are internal. In order to detect such an anal fistula, an additional examination will be required. Only in this case will the diagnosis be correctly made and treatment prescribed. Another feature of an incomplete fistula is that it is unstable and is a temporary option for a complete fistula; it itself appears very rarely. The cause of an incomplete fistula may be:
- pelvic rectal paraproctitis;
- submucosal paraproctitis;
- sciatic-rectal paraproctitis.
Usually in such cases, an autopsy of the inflamed area occurs. A short fistula forms, it is directed into the purulent cavity. Incomplete fistula is detected only when visiting a doctor and the appearance of some symptoms:
- the disease exacerbates paraproctitis;
- the presence of pus in the feces.
Intrasphincter and transfix fistula
The external opening of the intrasphincteric fistula is located near the anus, and the internal opening is in one of the intestinal cavities. This type of fistula is easily diagnosed. For this, perianal zones are felt. In this way, the fistulous passage located in the subcutaneous and submucosal space is determined. The probe is inserted easily through the inner hole.
Transsphincter fistula is quite common. The fistulous canal is located in one of the areas of the sphincter. Fistulous passages have a branching, purulent pockets are located in the fiber, and in the tissue - scars. The higher the fistula is above the sphincter, the more branching occurs. What does the transfix anal fistula look like, the photo in the specialized literature illustrates in detail.
Extrasphincter fistula
This type of fistula is the result of a disease such as retrorectal paraproctitis. A long and winding course appears, which is often accompanied by the presence of scars, ulcers. When the next focus of inflammation appears, fistulous openings form. Depending on the complexity of the course of the disease, extrasphincter fistula is divided into degrees:
- At the first degree of complexity there are no scars, abscesses in fiber. The fistulous course is direct.
- In the second degree, there are scars in the region of the internal opening, but there are no inflammatory changes.
- With the third degree, the opening of the fistula is narrow, there are no scars, but a purulent-inflammatory process develops.
- The fourth degree of complexity is characterized by a wide inner hole, there are scars, ulcers.
To identify the full picture of the disease, ultrasonography and fistulography are required.
Causes of the disease
It is difficult to treat a disease if its cause is unknown. So, before looking for an answer to the question of how to cure a fistula, you should find what contributed to its appearance. The causes of the fistula can be congenital and acquired.
Acquired reasons include:
- Inflammation of subcutaneous fat located near the rectum. The infection moves from the subcutaneous tissue to the rectum. Abscesses appear, they open, and a fistula forms.
- Operations performed in the perineum or rectum.
- Bowel disease.
- Gastrointestinal tract diseases.
- Inflammation of the small intestine.
- Diseases of the large intestine.
- Malignant, fast-growing tumor.
- Infections: chlamydia, syphilis, tuberculosis.
Anal fistula most often appears after a natural rupture of an abscess or drainage. The disease can last from several weeks to several years.
Rectovaginal fistula can develop with pathological birth.
Pararectal fistula is a consequence of a disease such as acute paraproctitis.
The most dangerous fistula is the duodenal fistula . Most often formed after surgery in the abdominal cavity.
Fistula Symptoms
- The appearance and intensification of pain in the anus. Amplification occurs when
emptying the rectum or with prolonged sitting. - Fever.
- General malaise.
- The appearance of pus, sometimes with blood with a purulent odor.
- Swelling, redness in the fistulous course.
- A wound in the perineum.
- Temperature rise.
- Sleep disturbance.
If these symptoms appear, consult a doctor. If a rectal fistula is diagnosed, treatment should be prescribed immediately.
Diagnosis and treatment of fistula
The following methods are used for diagnosis:
- inspection;
- palpation;
- rectoscopy;
- use of a metal probe;
- examination under anesthesia;
- Magnetic resonance imaging.
After the diagnosis is made, it is necessary to begin treatment. If a perianal abscess has formed, surgical treatment of the abscess and fistula must be performed. When the fistula is located in the posterior region, its complete removal is impossible, since incontinence can occur, but it is also impossible to leave the anal fistula, abscesses can occur.
Surgery is divided into the following types:
- Gentle excision of fistulas and their dissection.
- Setting the silicone loop.
- The imposition of mucous patches.
- Splitting of sphincter fibers.
- Dissection of the fistula and staging a special swab.
Traditional medicine to help
Sometimes patients do not seek an appointment with a specialist and begin to use alternative treatment. Anal fistula in some cases thanks to this medicine can be completely cured.
A few recipes that come in handy:
- Combine olive oil and vodka in equal amounts. With this mixture, wipe the inflamed area several times a day. The course of treatment is several weeks.
- Take oak bark , flaxseed flowers , water pepper grass and a little lard. Grind everything and fill with melted lard. The following proportions should be adhered to: two glasses of bacon are taken for one glass of oak bark and grass. Put everything in the oven and heat on low heat. Cool the mixture, make cotton swabs, moisten them in the resulting solution and apply to the inflamed area. The course of treatment is three weeks.
Afterword
Remember, the sooner you contact a specialist, the more likely you will be to maintain your health and avoid complications. Anal fistula is a disease that cannot be joked with.