Anal Fistulas

Our Los Angeles colorectal surgeons treat a number of conditions that affect the rectum or anal area, including anal fistulas. Anal fistula, or fistula-in-ano, is a small channel that can develop between the end of the bowel and the skin near the anus. An anal fistula can also be the result of bowel conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease. Fortunately, this condition can be treated immediately through several surgical options.

At the Fissure & Fistula Center of Excellence, we regularly perform anal fistula repair surgery. Our surgeons carefully adapt our treatments to meet the individual needs of our patients in order to achieve optimal results. To find out how we can help treat your anal fistula, contact us today at (888) 512-2312.

Causes of Anal Fistula

Treatment Methods

In the case of fistulas, anal surgery is often needed. The type of surgery depends on the location of the fistula. Options include:

• An anal fistulotomy is an outpatient procedure in which anal fistulas are opened up and forced to heal from the inside out. This is used in 85-95 percent of cases. Sometimes a thread or seton is left in the fistula tract if a patient is at high risk of developing incontinence. Healing occurs within 1 or 2 months.
• An anal fistulectomy cuts out the fistula completely. Once the fistula has been removed, the groove or wound is left open to heal. Some fistulas can be very complicated and may require more than one surgery to fully treat.
• The LIFT procedure secures the closure of the internal opening and removes the infected cryptoglandular tissue.
• An endorectal advancement flap is an option used when the fistula is considered complex, or there is a high risk of incontinence. The advancement flap is a piece of tissue that is removed from the rectum or from the skin around the anus. During surgery, the fistula tract is removed, and the flap is reattached where the opening of the fistula was located. The operation is effective in about 70 percent of cases.
• A fistula plug involves plugging the fistula with a device made from small intestinal submucosa. The fistula plug procedure requires hospitalization for only about 24 hours and boosts a success rate as high as 80 percent.

Find Out About Our Anal Fistula Surgical Procedures

At La Peer’s Fissure & Fistula Center of Excellence, our colorectal surgeons perform a large number of fistula operations each year and our expertise is highly regarded in the medical community. We house some of the country’s best doctors in colon and rectal care. Many of them are Department Heads at major hospitals in Los Angeles, while others educate top young minds in medical schools. However, all are highly skilled and experienced in this field of medicine.

Regarded as one of the best in patient care, the La Peer Health Systems Fissure & Fistula Center of Excellence can help you get treatment for anal pain in Los Angeles. To schedule a consultation with one of our skilled colorectal surgeons in Los Angeles, contact us at (888) 512-2312 or fill out our contact form.

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