Permanent Relief from Anal Fistula

This is the most common treatment for simple, low anal fistulas. The surgeon opens the entire fistula tract, cleans it, and allows it to heal from the inside out. It offers a high success rate with low recurrence but is suitable only when the sphincter muscle involvement is minimal.

Used for high or complex fistulas involving the anal sphincter. A medical thread (seton) is placed through the tract to allow drainage and reduce infection.

- Cutting Seton: Gradually tightens to cut through the fistula while preserving
muscle.

- Loose Seton: Keeps the area drained and infection-free, often used before a definitive procedure.

The surgeon accesses the fistula between the sphincter muscles, ties off the internal opening, and removes the infected tissue. This sphincter-saving procedure has a good success rate and minimal risk of incontinence.

A minimally invasive laser technique where a radial-emitting laser probe is inserted into the fistula tract to shrink and close it from inside. It causes minimal pain, minimal bleeding, and offers quick recovery. Best for complex or long fistula tracts.

A specialised endoscopic technique where a small camera is inserted into the fistula to visualise the tract. The surgeon cleans the tract under direct vision and closes the internal opening. This technique avoids cutting and preserves sphincter muscles.

The surgeon removes the internal opening of the fistula and covers it with a flap of healthy rectal tissue. This procedure is used for recurrent, complex, or high fistulas with significant sphincter involvement.

Biologic glue (fibrin) or fistula plugs made of collagen are inserted into the tract to seal it. These methods are minimally invasive but may have a lower success rate compared to surgical options.