How does fistula occur

Updated by: Linda J. Editorial team. Fistulas may occur in many parts of the body. They can form between: An artery and vein Bile ducts and the surface of the skin from gallbladder surgery The cervix and vagina The neck and throat The space inside the skull and nasal sinus The bowel and vagina The colon and surface of the body, causing feces to exit through an opening other than the anus The stomach and surface of the skin The uterus and peritoneal cavity the space between the walls of the abdomen and internal organs An artery and vein in the lungs results in blood not picking up enough oxygen in the lungs The navel and gut Inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn disease, can lead to fistulas between one loop of intestine and another.

Types of fistulas include: Blind open on one end only, but connects to two structures Complete has openings both outside and inside the body Horseshoe connects the anus to the surface of the skin after going around the rectum Incomplete a tube from the skin that is closed on the inside and does not connect to any internal structure. Anorectal fistulas Fistula.

Fistulas Read more. What are the root causes of obstetric fistula? Why Are Women Still Suffering? Taking action means saying 'no' to indifference It is a choice: whether or not to support a woman, whether or not to protect her, whether or not to defend her rights.

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Symptoms of an anal fistula Symptoms of an anal fistula can include: skin irritation around the anus a constant, throbbing pain that may be worse when you sit down, move around, poo or cough smelly discharge from near your anus passing pus or blood when you poo swelling and redness around your anus and a high temperature fever if you also have an abscess difficulty controlling bowel movements bowel incontinence in some cases The end of the fistula might be visible as a hole in the skin near your anus, although this may be difficult for you to see yourself.

When to get medical advice See a GP if you have persistent symptoms of an anal fistula. These may include: a further physical and rectal examination a proctoscopy, where a special telescope with a light on the end is used to look inside your anus an ultrasound scan , MRI scan or CT scan Causes of anal fistulas Most anal fistulas develop after an anal abscess.

Less common causes of anal fistulas include: Crohn's disease — a long-term condition in which the digestive system becomes inflamed diverticulitis — infection of the small pouches that can stick out of the side of the large intestine colon hidradenitis suppurativa — a long-term skin condition that causes abscesses and scarring infection with tuberculosis TB or HIV a complication of surgery near the anus Treatments for an anal fistula Anal fistulas usually require surgery as they rarely heal if left untreated.

The main options include: a fistulotomy — a procedure that involves cutting open the whole length of the fistula so it heals into a flat scar seton procedures — where a piece of surgical thread called a seton is placed in the fistula and left there for several weeks to help it heal before a further procedure is carried out to treat it All the procedures have different benefits and risks.

You can discuss this with the surgeon. Find out more about treating an anal fistula Page last reviewed: 18 June Next review due: 18 June