Typical symptoms of an anal fistula include the following:

• - Irritation of the skin around the anus
• - Pain that worsens when sitting, moving and coughing
• - Foul-smelling discharge from the anal region
• - Traces of blood and pus in the stool
• - Inflammation near the anus
• - High fever if an abscess forms
• - Bowel incontinence
• - The fistula is an apparent hole near the anus, which can be difficult for the patient to see without medical assistance.

What is Video-assisted Anal Fistula Treatment (VAAFT)?

An initial diagnostic assessment entails examining the perianal region as well as the perineum for external fistulas. A digital rectum exam is performed with a proctoscopy to evaluate anorectal pathology and locate the fistula opening internally.

Video-assisted anal fistula treatment (VAAFT) aims to locate the entrance of the fistula, the flushing from the fistula tract and the track of the fistula. VAAFT not only identifies the fistula but assists in sealing the fistula tract internally. When treating the anal fistula, the fistula canal is flushed, sterilised and closed from the inside. Afterwards, waste is removed, and the entrance of the fistula is sealed.

What can you expect in terms of recovery?

Patients are prescribed oral pain medication to alleviate discomfort for at least two days, and a spectrum of antibiotics is also prescribed from the time they are discharged after recovering from the anaesthesia. Dr Moodley will advise when to change the dressing. He schedules follow-up appointments from the first month of recovery and thereafter from the third and sixth months after the procedure. A year after VAAFT, you must attend your last follow-up appointment with your surgeon.