Anal Fistula Symptoms, Causes & More
Article Sources
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A fistula is defined as a tunnel between two bodily structures. In an anal fistula, the tunnel runs from the anal canal to the surrounding skin. The anus is the orifice from which the body removes the feces. An anal fistula typically occurs as a result of an infection that failed to heal properly. In most cases, surgery is necessary to repair the fistula.
An anal fistula may be easily mistaken for an anal fissure, which is a type of tear in the skin surrounding the anal cavity. However, an anal fistula and an anal fissure are two distinct conditions with different causes and treatments.
