What are the symptoms of fistula?

Anorectal fistula is also known as anorectal fistula, which is a very common anorectal disease in life. Most anal fistulas are formed after the rupture of anorectal abscesses. Most anal fistulas are caused by bacterial infection. In fact, to put it simply, there is a primary infection focus in the anus. Generally, surgical treatment is required. Most people don’t know much about anorectal fistula, so what are the symptoms of anorectal fistula?

Anal fistula is also known as "anorectal fistula". Most anal fistulas are formed after the rupture of anorectal abscess or the incision and drainage of pus. The abscess gradually shrinks, but intestinal contents continue to enter the abscess cavity. In the process of healing and shrinkage, a tortuous cavity is often formed, and the drainage is poor and it is difficult to heal. After a long time, there are a lot of scar tissues around the cavity, forming a chronic infectious duct. The early stage of anal fistula is mainly characterized by abscess and inflammation. After the inflammation subsides, the fistula is gradually formed and the local symptoms are gradually alleviated. However, in case of recurrent anal fistula or acute infection, there is obvious local inflammatory reaction, accompanied by systemic symptoms.

(1) Pus and feces discharge around the anus: This is the main symptom of anal fistula. The amount of pus is related to the length and number of the fistula. Newly formed fistulas have a greater inflammatory reaction and more pus discharge. The pus is thick, yellow, and has a foul odor. For long-term fistulas, the pus discharge is less, or sometimes there is no pus, and the pus is white and thin like water. If the pus suddenly increases, it means that a new fistula has been formed. Sometimes the fistula is temporarily closed and pus is not discharged. Local abscess or fever may occur, and the closed fistula will discharge again. Sometimes gas and feces can be discharged from the external opening. Internal hemorrhoids often have pus and blood discharged from the anus. Due to the continuous and repeated outflow of purulent secretions, patients often feel wetness in the anus and their underwear is not respectful, which brings great trouble to their lives. Fistulas communicating with other organs have specific symptoms;

(2) Difficult defecation: If a complex anal fistula does not heal for a long time, it may cause large fibrotic scars or ring-shaped cords to form around the anorectum, affecting the dilation and closure of the anus, making defecation difficult and causing a feeling of incomplete defecation.

(3) Itching: As pus constantly irritates the perianal skin, it often causes itching, dampness and discomfort around the anus, skin discoloration, epidermal exfoliation, fibrous tissue hyperplasia and thickening, and sometimes eczema.

(4) Pain: When the fistula is unobstructed and there is no inflammation, there is usually no pain. Only local swelling and discomfort are felt, which worsens when walking. When the fistula becomes infected or pus is not draining properly and becomes swollen and inflamed, it can cause pain. The difference between anal fistula pain and internal hemorrhoid pain. Internal hemorrhoids often cause burning discomfort in the lower rectum and anus, and pain when defecating;

(5) Systemic symptoms: During the acute inflammatory period and when complex anal fistulas recur, fever of varying degrees may occur, or accompanied by long-term chronic wasting symptoms such as weight loss, anemia, and physical weakness.