What is Anal Fistula Surgery?
Anal fistula surgery is the surgical removal of anal fistula. The medical ailment known as anal fistula is characterized by an abnormal skin opening around the anus that permits the entry of excrement or pus. The goal of surgically treating anal fistulas is to remove the tract and encourage wound healing. Depending on the specifics of each case, the operation may involve a variety of procedures such as flap repair, seton placement, or fistulotomy.
What are The Different Types of Anal Fistula Surgery and Their Costs in Kolkata?
Anal fistula has multiple types. Your surgeon can recommend which one is the best for you. Some of the common types are,
- Fistulotomy: The most common procedure, which has the lowest risk of incontinence in most instances, involves cutting the fistula to encourage more even healing. As this is a minimally invasive procedure done on an outpatient patient the healing period is also much faster. Fistula surgery typically costs between INR 35,000 and 45,000.
- Seton Techniques: A seton is a kind of surgical thread that is placed into complicated fistulas to keep them open for healing. This helps the fistulas drain and heal faster. For the seton procedure, the approximate cost of fistula surgery is INR 25,000 to INR 35,000.
- Advancement Flap Procedure: A little tissue flap is created inside the anus and lower portion of the rectum during this operation. After that, the flap is stitched into place to mask the internal fistula track opening inside the anus. A fistula plug or paste may be used alongside an advancement flap operation. This procedure has a lower success rate but a reduced risk to the sphincter muscle. The approximate cost of flap surgery for fistula surgery is between INR 40,000 and INR 50,000.
- The LIFT Procedure: This method can be applied to a fistula that involves a large portion of the anal sphincter muscle. The procedure involves cutting a tiny incision around the anus while under general anesthesia. The surgeon locates the fistula track, attaches the fistula on both sides and divides it. This offers promising results in the safe treatment of fistulas involving the sphincter by forming a flat closure. The estimated cost for the LIFT procedure's fistula surgery is between INR 35,000 and INR 45,000.
- Laser Surgery: The process of fistula laser surgery involves inserting the laser fiber into the fistula from its outer surface and guiding it through to the rectum's opening. Next, the laser is turned on, and as the proteins denature, the surrounding tissue contracts. Fistula surgery typically costs between INR 35,000 and INR 45,000.
- Fibrin Glue: A fibrin glue works by triggering thrombin to create a fibrin clot that shuts off the fistula tract mechanically. The estimated cost is around INR 20,000 to INR 30,000.
- Bioprosthetic Plug: It is safe and effective to use a cone-shaped plug to block the fistula opening. The main goal behind this procedure is to keep the sphincter muscles unharmed. This is often done under general anesthesia. The estimated cost is around INR 35,000 to INR 45,000.
What Diagnostic Tests Are Required Before Any Anal Fistula Surgery?
Before performing Anal fistula surgery, doctors frequently advise a number of diagnostic procedures to assess the patient's general health, any underlying medical conditions, and the severity of the illness. The often-advised tests and their associated expenses are listed below;
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy: This test entails passing a flexible tube into the rectum to look inside the colon. It assists the physician in determining the size of the fistula and any related inflammation. This test costs between INR 4,000 and INR 8,000.
- Colonoscopy: This diagnostic technique uses a flexible tube equipped with a camera to enable the doctor to view the whole colon. It assists in locating any underlying problems, including tumors, polyps, and inflammatory bowel disease. This test costs between INR 4,000 and INR 6,000.
- Anoscopy: During an anoscopy, a small, lighted tube is placed into the anus to examine the anal canal. This examination aids the physician in determining the anal fistula's location, depth, and extent. This test costs between INR 2,500 and INR 5,000.
What are Some Tips to Help You Prepare Better for Anal Fistula Surgery?
Here we have mentioned a few steps that can help you be more prepared.
- Fasting and Hydration: You have to stop eating and drinking anything prior to having anal fistula surgery under general anesthesia. Apart from a few small sips of water up to two hours prior to the treatment, a six-hour fast is usually required.
- Health Check and Bowel Prep: When you are admitted, doctors will keep an eye on your vital signs, measure your blood pressure and heart rate, do tests, and possibly take a urine sample. An enema, or bowel washout, might occasionally be used in conjunction with other preparatory measures.
- Preventive Measures: You may be requested to wear compression stockings or get intravenous anti-clotting medicine in order to reduce the risk of blood clots. The purpose of these measures is to guarantee your health both before and after the procedure.
- Informed Consent: A consent form detailing the possible results, risks, advantages, and other options for the treatment will be given by your surgeon. It is necessary to get your informed consent before the procedure may begin.
What are Some Risks and Complications of Anal Fistula Surgery?
An anal fistula is generally a safe surgery. But it might have some minor risks like,
- It's possible for the disease to return and for there to be an abscess near the anal area.
- There may be painful or thicker scarring around the anus.
- In rare cases, the anus muscles may be overstretched or overcut, leading to localized weakening. This may result in incontinence, or difficulties controlling one's bowels. It might be necessary to wear a pad or to have additional surgery.
- Obesity increases the risk of lung, heart, and wound infections after surgery.
- The likelihood of thrombosis (a condition when blood clots block your blood vessels).
What are Some Tips for Recovery After Anal Fistula Surgery?
Here are some tips to make your recovery period a breeze.
- Initial Rest: After surgery, take a few days off to recuperate and allow the effects of the anesthesia to wear off.
- Gradual Activity: Slowly resume activity with assistance to avoid complications.
- Pain Management: Use recommended painkillers to ease post-anesthesia discomfort.
- Application of Ointment: Use topical ointment as advised for anal treatment if prescribed.
- Temporary Restrictions: Stay away from operating machinery, driving, drinking, and making critical judgments.
- Balanced Diet: Look for a fiber-rich, fluid-abundant, non-spicy diet for keeping soft stools.
- Gentle Exercise: Take part in light, frequent exercise to enhance your mental and physical health.
- Hygiene and Rest: Regular bathing, resting, and getting enough sleep to promote healing.
- Care After: Make sure you show up for follow-up clinic appointments to ensure thorough tracking of your recovery.
Which Factors Can Affect The Anal Fistula Surgery Cost in Kolkata?
The anal fistula surgery cost in Kolkata might vary greatly from patient to patient. This surgery's cost is determined by a number of variables, including
- Doctor consultation fees: Before any surgery, a patient must have a consultation with a proctologist. The price of the consultation may vary based on the credentials and reputation of the physician.
- Kind of Surgery: Depending on the surgical technique used, such as a seton placement operation, fistulotomy, or fistulectomy, the cost of the process may change.
- Anal fistula's severity: The cost of surgery may vary depending on the complexity and size of the anal fistula. In more severe cases, a more invasive and expensive surgical procedure can be required.
- Cost of anesthesia: Depending on the type of anesthetic used and the length of the surgery, the cost of anesthesia or an anesthesiologist may change.
- The cost of tests: To assess the severity of the illness, diagnostic procedures including flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and anoscopy may be necessary. The fees associated with these tests may increase the overall cost of the treatment.
- Transportation cost: Depending on the hospital's location and the form of transportation used, different transportation costs may apply.
- Cost of Follow-up appointments: In order to track the healing process following surgery, follow-up appointments may be required. These visits may raise the total cost of the procedure.
Why Should You Choose Credihealth For Anal Fistula Surgery in Kolkata?
Fistulas are manageable at Credihealth thanks to a range of state-of-the-art surgical techniques. With a range of treatment options, our talented surgeons can successfully cure fistulas in patients of all ages and severity levels, despite the fact that diagnosis, care, and recovery can be challenging and time-consuming.
You can pay with cash, credit card, and installment payments with Credihealth. We also provide pick-up and drop-off service and complimentary second opinions. Patients from abroad will also get support from us regarding visas. Finally, Credihealth assists you with insurance claim filing.