During your physical exam, the doctor will look for a fistula opening near your anal opening. He or she may press on the area to see if it is sore and if pus comes out. Different methods may be used to help with the diagnosis, such as:. Fistula probe. A long, thin probe is guided through the outer opening of the fistula. A special dye may be injected to find out where the fistula opens up on the inside. Imaging studies.
These may include an ultrasound, which creates an image of the anal area using sound waves. Or they may include an MRI, which makes images of the area by using special magnets and a computer. Once you have an anal fistula, antibiotics alone will not cure it. You will need to have surgery to cure the fistula. Surgical treatment options include:. This procedure opens up the fistula in a way that allows it to heal from the inside out. It is usually an outpatient procedure. This means you go home the same day.
Filling the fistula with a special glue or plug. Your doctor may not find a fistula during the physical exam. Other tests may be needed to locate and evaluate a rectovaginal fistula.
These tests can also help your medical team in planning for surgery. Symptoms of a rectovaginal fistula can be distressing, but treatment is often effective. Treatment for the fistula depends on its cause, size, location and effect on surrounding tissues. Before an operation can be done, the skin and other tissue around the fistula must be healthy, without infection or inflammation.
Your doctor may recommend waiting three to six months before having surgery to ensure the surrounding tissue is healthy and see if the fistula closes on its own. Surgery to close a fistula may be done by a gynecologic surgeon, a colorectal surgeon or both working as a team. The goal is to remove the fistula tract and close the opening by sewing together healthy tissue. Surgical options include:.
Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition. Good hygiene can help ease discomfort and reduce the chance of vaginal or urinary tract infections while waiting for repair. Other home remedies for people living with a rectovaginal fistula include:.
Your first appointment may be with your family doctor, primary care provider or gynecologist. After your initial evaluation, you may be referred to a surgeon who specializes in procedures involving the female reproductive system gynecologic surgeon or one who specializes in treating conditions of the colon and rectum colorectal surgeon to discuss treatment options.
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Sometimes these can become blocked and infected, creating what is called an abscess. Fistulas can be very embarrassing, as well as uncomfortable. Pain is a frequent symptom, as well as frequent abscesses, foul-smelling discharge, and painful bowel movements. Skin irritation can also develop due to infections and excess fluid being discharged.
Fistulas can cause a lot of discomfort, and if left untreated, may cause serious complications. Some fistulas can cause a bacteria infection, which may result in sepsis, a dangerous condition that can lead to low blood pressure, organ damage or even death.
If you are noticing any symptoms of a fistula — abdominal pain, discharge, a change in your bowel habits, severe diarrhea — talk to your doctor right away.
Diagnosing an external fistula is relatively simple since the doctor is able to see it. He or she may send any discharge that occurs to a lab for analysis, and may also perform blood tests to help confirm the diagnosis.
If the fistula is internal, diagnosis may be harder. Your doctor may perform an endoscope to see inside, or perform ultrasounds, CTs, or X-rays to find the fistula. An anal fistula is a very rare sign of cancer. However, if left untreated for a long time, a fistula may lead to cancer. A fistula may also develop as a result of radiation therapy. In some cases, fistulas may close up, but then reopen. Typically, fistulas do not heal on their own without treatment.
0コメント