Patient's question:
A small lump appeared on the tongue, which later disappeared. Then, many more lumps grew. I went to the hospital for a check-up, and the doctor said it could be a thyroglossal cyst or fistula. What is a fistula?Doctor's answer:
An anal fistula refers to a granulomatous channel around the anus, consisting of three parts: the internal orifice, the fistula tract, and the external orifice. The internal orifice is usually located at the lower rectum or anal canal and is typically single. The external orifice is on the skin around the anus and can be one or multiple, often persisting for a long time or recurring intermittently. Anal fistulas cannot heal on their own. Without treatment, they can lead to repeated episodes of perianal abscesses. Therefore, surgical treatment is necessary. The principle of treatment is to incise the fistula tract, creating an open wound to promote healing. There are many surgical methods available. The choice of surgery should be based on the location of the internal orifice and the relationship between the fistula tract and the anal sphincter. The key to the surgery is to minimize damage to the anal sphincter and prevent fecal incontinence, while also avoiding recurrence of the fistula.