Anal Fistula Surgery in Hyderabad — Laser Treatment, Lasting Relief
An anal fistula is a small but deeply uncomfortable tunnel that forms between the inner lining of the anal canal and the skin around the anus — most often as a result of a previous anal abscess. Without proper surgical treatment, a fistula will not heal on its own and will continue to cause pain, discharge, and recurrent infections.
Dr. Sujeeth Kumar Bashetty at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, is an experienced specialist in laser anal fistula surgery — offering a minimally invasive approach that minimises pain, reduces recovery time, and lowers the risk of recurrence and incontinence.
Understanding Anal Fistula
Most anal fistulas originate from an infected anal gland. When the infection does not heal completely, a channel (fistula tract) forms, connecting the internal opening in the anal canal to an external opening in the perianal skin.
- ✓Persistent pain and throbbing around the anus
- ✓Swelling, redness, or hardness near the anus
- ✓Pus or blood-stained discharge from an opening in the perianal skin
- ✓Pain during bowel movements
- ✓Recurrent anal abscesses — a sign of untreated or incompletely healed fistula
- ✓Occasional fever, especially during acute abscess episodes
Types of Anal Fistula
Simple Fistula
A fistula that crosses minimal sphincter muscle — the most common type. Suitable for straightforward surgical treatment with excellent outcomes.
Complex Fistula
A fistula that involves significant sphincter muscle, is in a horseshoe pattern, or has multiple tracts. Requires careful planning to treat the fistula without risking faecal incontinence.
Recurrent Fistula
A fistula that has returned after previous surgery. Often requires re-assessment with MRI fistulography and a staged or alternative surgical approach.
Treatment Options
Laser Anal Fistula Surgery (FiLaC)
A fibre-optic laser probe is inserted into the fistula tract and delivers controlled laser energy that ablates the tract lining from within, sealing it closed. No cutting of sphincter muscle. Performed under local or spinal anaesthesia. Same-day discharge in most cases.
Fistulotomy
Surgical laying open of the fistula tract — highly effective for simple, superficial fistulas with minimal sphincter involvement. Cure rate exceeds 90% for straightforward cases.
Seton Procedure
A surgical thread (seton) is placed through the fistula tract and gradually tightened over weeks — preventing incontinence while achieving healing. Used for complex fistulas with significant sphincter involvement.
LIFT Procedure
A sphincter-sparing technique in which the fistula tract is tied off between the sphincters and removed. Good success rates for trans-sphincteric fistulas without risking continence.
Why Laser Fistula Surgery?
- ✓Sphincter-muscle-sparing — no risk of incontinence
- ✓Minimal post-operative pain
- ✓Same-day discharge for most patients
- ✓Return to normal activities within 3–5 days
- ✓Low recurrence rate when performed by an experienced surgeon
- ✓No open wound — significantly more comfortable recovery
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can an anal fistula heal without surgery?
A: No. An established anal fistula will not close on its own. Medication may temporarily reduce symptoms during an acute infection, but definitive healing requires surgical treatment to remove or ablate the fistula tract.
Q: Is there a risk of incontinence after fistula surgery?
A: The risk of incontinence depends on how much sphincter muscle the fistula involves. For simple fistulas, the risk is negligible. For complex fistulas, Dr. Kumar selects sphincter-sparing techniques (laser, seton, LIFT) specifically to protect continence. An MRI fistulogram is used to map the fistula before surgery.
Q: How long is recovery after laser fistula surgery?
A: Most patients are discharged on the day of surgery. Mild discomfort is expected for 3–5 days. Most patients return to work within one week. Full healing of the fistula tract typically occurs within 4–8 weeks.
Q: What happens if a fistula keeps coming back?
A: Recurrent fistula requires careful re-evaluation with MRI fistulography. Dr. Kumar specialises in revisional fistula surgery, selecting an alternative technique based on the anatomy of the recurrent tract.
Book Your Fistula Consultation — Apollo Clinic Manikonda, Hyderabad (surgery at Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills)
📞 Call 9963009090WhatsApp UsRelated Services: Piles Surgery | Colorectal Surgery | General Surgery
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Anal Fistula — explained by Dr. Sujeeth
Short videos from Dr. Sujeeth explaining piles, fissure and fistula together. From the YouTube channel @dr.sujeeth (26,500+ subscribers).
