How long can you live with anal fistula?

If the fistula and the internal opening are located below the deep external sphincter, it is a low-position anal fistula. Generally speaking, the length of the fistula is relatively short. Because, in clinical practice, the boundary between high-position anal fistula and low-position anal fistula is mainly based on the deep external sphincter. If the fistula and the internal opening are located above the deep external sphincter, it is a high-position anal fistula, and the fistula is generally longer. The longest anal fistula can reach more than ten centimeters. Because the types of anal fistulas are different, the length of the fistula is also different. Basically, the fistula of a low-position anal fistula is relatively short, most of which are 3-5 cm, but the fistula of a high-position anal fistula is relatively long, with the longest reaching about 10 cm. Moreover, compared with high-position anal fistulas, the treatment of low-position anal fistulas is relatively simple.

What should patients with anal fistula eat after surgery?

After anal fistula surgery, generally speaking, on the day after the operation, according to our anesthesia requirements, you need to fast for six hours, or control your diet for a period of time according to the anesthesiologist's requirements. Then on the second day after the operation, we need to gradually resume your diet according to the situation. First, eat some easily digestible semi-liquid or liquid food, and then gradually return to a normal diet. Generally, after one or two days, you can resume a normal diet, but not everything can be eaten. We generally advocate increasing the content of dietary fiber in the food, mainly light and easily digestible food, and you can eat fruits and vegetables appropriately, but you cannot eat irritating food and some foods that cause intestinal diarrhea, such as milk and soy products. Some foods that are easy to cause abdominal distension or diarrhea are all prohibited.

What are the serious consequences of anal fistula?

Anal fistula can cause fecal incontinence, because repeated high-position anal fistulas damage the sphincter, and finally the stool cannot be held. In addition, if repeated anal fistulas are not treated, they will cause anal stenosis. Another most serious consequence is that anal fistulas can also cause cancer, which is also very scary. The following is explained by Director Zheng Lihua of the China-Japan Friendship Hospital.