When to see a doctor
- Pus, blood or fluid leaking from a small opening near the back passage
- Stained underwear, or a damp, itchy feeling around the back passage
- Pain or swelling near the back passage that comes and goes
- Pain that is worse when sitting, moving or passing stool
- A boil or abscess near the back passage that keeps coming back
- Irritated or sore skin around the opening
Get urgent help if
- A hot, swollen, very painful lump near the back passage (it may be an abscess)
- Fever, shivering or feeling very unwell with pain near the back passage
- Redness, swelling or pain spreading quickly, or skin turning dark or black, especially with diabetes
- Being unable to pass urine because of pain or swelling
- Heavy bleeding from the back passage
Call the hospital on +91 251 260 8502 (open 24 hours) or go to the nearest emergency department. For an ambulance, call 108. Do not wait for an OPD appointment.
How care usually works
- Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and any past abscess, and gently examine the area. An MRI scan (a detailed scan using a magnet, not X-rays) may be advised to map the tunnel.
- An abscess usually needs to be drained soon, as antibiotics alone rarely clear it. Antibiotics may help with infection, but usually do not close a fistula.
- Most fistulas need a procedure. Your doctor may discuss a fistulotomy (opening up the tunnel so it heals from the inside). Another option is a seton (a thin thread left in the tunnel to help it drain).
- The choice depends on the tunnel’s path through the muscles that control bowel movements. Your doctor will explain the benefits and risks, including any effect on bowel control. Some fistulas need more than one stage. Sometimes a fistula can come back, even after treatment, and may need further care.
- The wound is often left open to heal slowly from inside. Full healing can take several weeks or longer. Recovery may involve dressings, sitting in warm water, soft stools and follow-up visits.
Typical hospital stay
Many people go home the same day or the next day after a fistula procedure. A fistula with a longer or branching tunnel, or one with an abscess, may need a longer stay or more than one procedure.
Doctors for this treatment
Frequently asked questions
How does the doctor find a fistula?
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and look at the skin around the back passage. A gentle internal examination may also be done. An MRI scan may be advised to show the path of the tunnel. Sometimes the check is done under anaesthesia (while you are asleep or numbed).
How is a fistula treated?
It depends on where the tunnel runs, and how much of the bowel-control muscle it crosses. If it crosses very little muscle, the tunnel may be opened up so it heals from inside. If it crosses more, a seton may be placed first to let it drain. Ask your doctor why they suggest an option and how it may affect bowel control.
What should I ask at my consultation?
You may ask what type of fistula you have and which tests are needed. Ask about the options, their risks, and how long healing may take. It can also help to ask about wound care, time off work and follow-up visits. Writing your questions down beforehand can be useful.
Can antibiotics alone treat a fistula?
Antibiotics may help control infection, but they usually do not close the tunnel. Without proper treatment, pain and abscesses may keep coming back. Please speak to a doctor rather than relying on home remedies or leftover medicines.
A note about this page
This page is general information, not medical advice. Please see a doctor about your own symptoms.