Anal Fistula
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Michael Tarlowe, MD
Serving Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, Boca Raton, FL, and the surrounding areas
Having an anal fistula can be very uncomfortable, but it’s an entirely treatable condition. Michael H. Tarlowe, MD, is an experienced proctologist who provides multiple treatment options for anal fistulas at his office, serving Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, Boca Raton, FL, and the surrounding areas. Get started with your treatment today by calling the offices of Michael H Tarlowe, MD or by scheduling your visit online.
Anal Fistula Q & A
What is an anal fistula?
An anal fistula is a small tunnel that can form between the skin outside of your anus and an anal gland inside your rectum.
If you have an anal fistula, you might experience some of the following symptoms:
- Pain
- Redness, swelling, or bleeding around your anus
- Painful bowel movements
- A liquid oozing from a hole near your anus that smells bad
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule a visit immediately with Dr. Tarlowe.
What causes an anal fistula?
An anal fistula typically forms as a result of a clogged anal gland. When one of your anal glands gets blocked up, bacteria build up in it, which causes the gland to swell and fill with bacteria and liquid. This pocket of infected tissue is called an abscess.
An untreated anal gland abscess tends to grow until it reaches the skin around the outside of your anus, where it breaks through the skin so that it can drain. After the abscess has drained, it leaves a tunnel from the area of your skin that it punctured back to the gland. That tunnel is an anal fistula.
How do you treat an anal fistula?
Dr. Tarlowe offers a few different services to treat anal fistulas, including:
Fistulotomy
In a fistulotomy, Dr. Tarlowe surgically opens the fistula, enabling it to heal from the inside out. Fistulotomies are the easiest ways to treat a fistula and can be performed on an outpatient basis under sedation with a short recovery time. Your fistula has to be a safe distance from your anus, however, to be treatable with a fistulotomy.
Seton
If your fistula runs through or is close to your anal sphincter (the muscles that control your bowel movements), you might not qualify for a fistulotomy, as it can potentially leave you bowel incontinent. In those cases, Dr. Tarlowe might recommend a seton, which is a piece of suture or Silastic material that he threads through your anus and fistula tunnel and ties in a loop and encourages the fistula to heal.
Ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT)
This procedure is for more complicated fistulas and is usually done after a seton is placed about 3 months prior. This allows the fistula tract to widen over time. This procedure allows Dr. Tarlowe to access the fistula between the two anal sphincter muslces (intersphincteric) and divide it (ligation), without cutting any muscle to preserve continence. Dr. Tarlowe can also remove any infected tissue inside.
To learn more about patient preparations for upcoming procedures, click here.
If you think that you have an anal fistula, don’t delay getting the appropriate treatment. Schedule your visit with Dr. Tarlowe today by calling the office or booking an appointment online.
