gastrointestinal disorders
Anorectal Fistula
Introduction
An anorectal fistula is a tubelike tract with one opening in the anal canal and the other usually in the perianal skin. Symptoms are discharge and sometimes pain. Diagnosis is by examination and sometimes anoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy. Treatment often requires surgery. (See also Evaluation of Anorectal Disorders .) Fistulasarise spontaneously or occur secondary to drainage of a perirectal abscess. Most fistulas originate in the anorectal crypts. Other causes include Crohn Disease None Tuberculosis (TB) None Colonic Diverticulitis None Cancer Trauma Fistulas in infants are congenital and are more common among boys. Rectovaginal fistulasmay be secondary to Crohn disease, obstetric injuries, radiation therapy, or cancer. 