The experienced medical staff at Texas Colon and Pilonidal Clinic is available for your needs regarding anal abscesses and fistulas. Our offices located in The Woodlands and Cypress, TX, are directed by Dr. Nsikak Umoh, our doctor on staff, who is board-certified in general surgery and colorectal surgery.
What is An Abscess and Fistula of The Anal Canal?
Most of the time, a fistula may start from an inflamed area around the anus that has some fluid, usually pus and-or blood, located in the infection. If our doctor doesn't manually drain fluid from the area, the fluid will find its own way out of the body. These conditions form a fistula or a small passageway from the inflamed area to the outside of the body.
From the outside, a fistula looks like a small hole that may ooze fluids. The skin around the hole may be red, inflamed, and sore to the touch. The fistula can close, though the tunnel may not heal. If another infectious episode occurs, the opening will unseal and become active again.
Common causes can be chronic conditions like,
- Crohn's disease
- Radiation therapy for cancer
- Sexually transmitted diseases affecting the anus
- Injury or previous surgery to the area.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Abscesses and Fistulas
Unfortunately, the diagnosis of this issue usually occurs after the fistula has already formed and has reached the outside of the body. Dr. Umoh of Texas Colon and Pilonidal Clinic, located in The Woodlands and Cypress, TX, must perform a physical exam of the anal abscess and fistula and try and find the end of the opening inside the anal canal.
This exam may require anesthesia if the area is very inflamed. Our doctor may use his finger or a scope with a camera to measure the size of the affected area. He can also use an ultrasound or X-ray involving injected dye into the affected area.
Treatment can involve an immunomodulator or immuno-boosting medications to heal small fistulas. However, most fistulas will require surgery to repair the damage. Depending on how extensively the fistula has spread, there are several different types of surgery, but simple fistulas can usually be repaired in one session.
This surgery is called a fistulotomy and involves cutting through the "roof" of the fistula and removing infected tissues before allowing it to fill up.
The fistula or infection can reoccur. Recovery takes three to six weeks.
Call Dr. Nsikak Umoh today at the Texas Colon and Pilonidal Clinic in the Woodlands and Cypress, TX, at 832-663-0037 for a consultation regarding anal abscesses and fistulas.