Anal Fistula Quiz

Check your symptoms and
find possible causes with AI for free

Reviewed By:

Carlos Cuenca

Carlos Cuenca, MD (General surgery)

Dr. Cuenca graduated from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. He is currently a categorical surgical resident at UC Davis Health.

Aiko Yoshioka

Aiko Yoshioka, MD (Gastroenterology)

Dr. Yoshioka graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine. He worked as a gastroenterologist at Saiseikai Niigata Hospital and Niigata University Medical & Dental Hospital before serving as the Deputy Chief of Gastroenterology at Tsubame Rosai Hospital and Nagaoka Red Cross Hospital. Dr. Yoshioka joined Saitama Saiseikai Kawaguchi General Hospital as Chief of Gastroenterology in April 2018.

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With an easy 3-min questionnaire, Ubie's AI-powered system will generate a free report on possible causes.

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  • Anal fistula as well as similar diseases can be checked at the same time.

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People with these symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes

  • Anus feels like its burning

  • Burning pain in anus

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Learn more about Anal fistula

Content updated on Sep 20, 2022

What is anal fistula?

This is a condition where a tunnel forms between the anus and the skin surrounding the anus. Patients are prone to recurrent infection of the area, and this is often associated with inflammatory bowel disease like Crohn's disease.

Symptoms of anal fistula

  • Hemorrhoids (piles) or a lump at the anus

  • Pain over the anus

  • Itching around the anus

  • Pus from around the anus or anus itself

  • Swelling of the affected area

Questions your doctor may ask to check for anal fistula

Your doctor may ask these questions to diagnose anal fistula

  • Do you have hemorrhoids (piles) or a lump at the anus?

  • Do you have anal pain?

  • Do you have itching of the anal region?

  • Do you have pus from around the anus or anus itself?

  • Is the affected area swollen?

Treatment for anal fistula

Surgery is usually required as they rarely heal on their own. Treatment of the underlying cause (e.g. bowel inflammation) is needed to prevent fistulas from returning.

View the symptoms of Anal fistula

References

  • Limura E, Giordano P. Modern management of anal fistula. World J Gastroenterol. 2015 Jan 7;21(1):12-20. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i1.12. PMID: 25574077; PMCID: PMC4284327.

    https://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/full/v21/i1/12.htm

  • Mei Z, Wang Q, Zhang Y, Liu P, Ge M, Du P, Yang W, He Y. Risk Factors for Recurrence after anal fistula surgery: A meta-analysis. Int J Surg. 2019 Sep;69:153-164. doi: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2019.08.003. Epub 2019 Aug 7. PMID: 31400504.

    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1743919119301931?via%3Dihub

  • Amato A, Bottini C, De Nardi P, Giamundo P, Lauretta A, Realis Luc A, Piloni V. Evaluation and management of perianal abscess and anal fistula: SICCR position statement. Tech Coloproctol. 2020 Feb;24(2):127-143. doi: 10.1007/s10151-019-02144-1. Epub 2020 Jan 23. PMID: 31974827.

    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10151-019-02144-1

  • Seow-Choen F, Nicholls RJ. Anal fistula. Br J Surg. 1992 Mar;79(3):197-205. doi: 10.1002/bjs.1800790304. PMID: 1555083.

    https://academic.oup.com/bjs/article-abstract/79/3/197/6172516?redirectedFrom=fulltext

Reviewed By:

Carlos Cuenca

Carlos Cuenca, MD (General surgery)

Dr. Cuenca graduated from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. He is currently a categorical surgical resident at UC Davis Health.

Aiko Yoshioka

Aiko Yoshioka, MD (Gastroenterology)

Dr. Yoshioka graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine. He worked as a gastroenterologist at Saiseikai Niigata Hospital and Niigata University Medical & Dental Hospital before serving as the Deputy Chief of Gastroenterology at Tsubame Rosai Hospital and Nagaoka Red Cross Hospital. Dr. Yoshioka joined Saitama Saiseikai Kawaguchi General Hospital as Chief of Gastroenterology in April 2018.

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