Back to Anal fistula. Surgery is usually necessary to treat an anal fistula as they usually do not heal by themselves. There are several different procedures. The best option for you will depend on the position of your fistula and whether it's a single channel or branches off in different directions.

If following an endoanal ultrasound scan, damage to the external anal sphincter has been diagnosed, surgical repair may be an option. This operation consists of a cut in front of the anus. The surgeon will then overlap the damaged muscle ends to form a complete ring of muscle around the anus. This operation would mean a 3 — 7 day stay in hospital and possibly a further 2 — 4 weeks off work to recover. Although this is not major surgery there may be considerable swelling and bruising around the anus. It is advisable that women who would like to have children should wait to have this surgery until their family is completed or alternatively elect to have a caesarean delivery because a normal vaginal birth could damage the repair. If the pelvic floor area is generally weak and sagging but the sphincter muscle is not actually torn or damaged, your surgeon may suggest a post-anal repair.

Rectal prolapse repair is surgery to fix a rectal prolapse. This is a condition in which the last part of the intestine called the rectum sticks out through the anus. Rectal prolapse may be partial, involving only the inner lining of the bowel mucosa. Or, it may be complete, involving the entire wall of the rectum.

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. Around half of cases of anal fissures heal by themselves with proper self-care and avoidance of constipation. Anyone of any age can be struck by appendicitis, but it seems to be more common during childhood and adolescence. Barium tests are used to examine conditions of the digestive tract such as reflux, narrowing or ulceration.