Is Laser Fistula Surgery Dangerous?

Introduction

An anal fistula or Fistula in ano is a channel connecting an infected gland inside the anus to an opening on the skin surrounding the anus. 

An anal fistula does not heal on its own, nor can it be treated with medication. The only effective anal fistula treatment in Kolkata is surgery. Fistula surgery aims to remove or close the fistula channel and keep it away for good.

There are various surgical treatments available to treat anal fistula, each with advantages and disadvantages. According to experts, patients should discuss the risks associated with surgical treatment with their doctors and select the one that poses low risk of complications and high chance of success. 

 

 

Reasons to Consider Laser Surgery for Anal Fistula

Laser treatment includes laser probes to close fistula tracts instead of cutting the channels. Surgeons draw a special laser through the length of the tract to remove the tissue and simultaneously seal the passage shut.

With its low risk of complications and a high chance of success, laser treatment is a safer and promising alternative to fistulotomy.

Here are the reasons why a patient should consider laser surgery -

Incontinence

Laser fistula treatment is a precise procedure and can spare the sphincter muscle, reducing the chance of post-procedure incontinence.

An Italian study showed that out of 35 patients who underwent laser treatment for their anal fistula experienced incontinence as a result. In another German study, only one of the 11 patients developed incontinence, and that patient's complications were considered mild.

Infection

Post-procedure infection rates in the case of laser surgery for anal fistula are also low. Neither the Italian study nor the German one reported any infection in the ablation patients who were studied.

Recurrence

Laser surgery ranks high with lower recurrence rates among the list of sphincter-sparing anal fistula surgical treatments. For example, a Canadian study found that fistula plugs were successful for 59.3 percent of patients, and fibrin glue healed anal fistula in only 39.1 percent of patients.