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Anal fistula health anxiety
Hi,
I have an anal fistula it gave me two abcess initially and nothing since 10 months no discomfort nothing at all track shows zero length in mri can it heal itself.can it turn to a recto vaginal fistula with time? I am getting anxiety please clear.
Answers (22)
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Need to consult a gen surgeon
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If your MRI shows zero-length / no active fistula tract and you have no pain, discharge or swelling for 10 months, it means the tract has likely healed completely.
Some fistulas do settle after the abscess drains, especially if the internal opening closes on its own.
Don't wry it won't turn into recto or vaginal
✔ No active tract
✔ No symptoms
✔ No discharge
✔ MRI normal
This indicates healed / inactive fistula.
There is no risk of spread or RV fistula formation
Next Steps
Keep soft stools (high fibre, water).
Watch only for new swelling, pain, fever, or discharge — otherwise no treatment needed.
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U can revert us For any details solutions
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U need to undergo fistulectomy
Avoid spicy food
Drink water adequately
Sitz bath 2 times a day
Consult me on practo
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Take fiber reach food...dont get anxious...since mri is showing zero length it means it has almost healed..
Make lifestyle changes...
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It may turn into better or worse depending on your diet and lifestyle. But dnt worry. If u take precautions, u will be fine. For more queries, kindly consult with me on 94 two six 86 seven eight 96.
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Need few more details
Kindly consult
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Good day to you ma'am
I understand your concern and I am sure this must be distressing causing a hindrance in your day to day activities. I shall try to the best of my abilities to consult you
Anal fistula is a condition when a track forms connecting the internal mucous lining of the anus to the outside external environment though an opening other than the normal hole for expulsion of feces
Since the anus is a region with many commensals, non commensals and fecolith it serves as a reservoir for a variety of infections and leads to recurring infections till that connection is closed artificially or naturally by fibrosis
As your report shows zero track length on MRI and no episode since 10 months, it is highly unlikely it can proceed to rectovaginal fistula
However no certain guarantee can be given via this Q/A forum on the basis of MRI report and limited history alone
So I kindly urge you to book a one to one consultation with your family surgeon or any other surgeon you are comfortable with.
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Can help
Contact on 9three28010077
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Heal itself with meds
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Hi
Most of the fistulas don't heal by itself but heals only when treated
But if your recent MRI shows zero length, it means your fistula has healed ( It can happen in few exceptional cases where the fistula is too short or no discharge from fistula for long time)
It cannot turn into rectovaginal fistula i.e. the chance of anal fistula turning to rectovaginal fistula is nearly zero
There is no need to be anxious since your MRI is clear, but I advise you to take fibre rich diet in order to stay healthy
Consult for further information or query
Take care
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Most fistulas do not heal completely without treatment.
BUT — there are exceptions:
✔️ If the fistula was low/simple
✔️ If the internal opening closed
✔️ If there is no discharge, no pain, no swelling for many months
✔️ MRI shows “no tract / healed tract”
Then yes — spontaneous healing can happen.
Since your MRI shows zero-length tract and you’ve had 10 months of no symptoms, this strongly suggests
✅ 2. Can an anal fistula turn into a recto-vaginal fistula with time?
NO.
A simple or healed anal fistula does NOT suddenly turn into a recto-vaginal fistula.
Recto-vaginal fistulas occur due to:
Complicated childbirth
Crohn’s disease
Trauma
Surgery/radiation
Severe infections
A healed or inactive anal fistula cannot migrate to the vagina.
There is no mechanism for this to happen.
So please remove this fear completely.
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Nothing to worry.. anal canal and vaginal canal are completely different.. it won't turns into ano-vaginal... In mri track also decreased...
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you can consult here in practo or you can text me on nine7476zero8386 for further assistance.. I can help you
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Anal fistula getting converted to recto vaginal fistulla is uncommon since both are seperated by a thick recto vaginalseptum.Moreover the MRI shows zero length.Vaginal birth, Inflammatory bowel disease increase the chance of this. Don't worry chances are low for this,but take precautions like do not strain during defecation, go for C section for child birth.
Next Steps
for anal fistula take sitz bath,keep stools soft by intaking more water,vegetables and fruits
Health Tips
maintain good hygiene to prevent recurrent abscess and if you have diabetes have a control over it.
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Avoid fried and spicy food
Water intake more
Green vegetables a
Fiber meal
Do connect and consult
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Anal Fistula with 0 length on MRI means that fistula is healed completely. There is no chance of formation of rectovaginal fistula .
Rectovaginal fistula is possible due to other obstetric causes not due to anal Fistula, however if you feel discomfort or any symptoms again that needs to examine and treat accordingly...
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Hi ,
I am Dr.Madhumidha, Dont worry i will clear your question
As u had anal fistula 10 months back and the mri now shows zero length track …it seems like the old fistula is completely healed/fibrosed.so there is no chance of forming recto vaginal fistula later.
If the fistula is active now ,like if you have pain,discharge or abscess currently may have a chance.
But the healed track does not form Recto vaginal fistula.
Next Steps
If you develop any pain or discharge or anything in anal region…the physical examination should be done and treated accordingly.
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Dr. Valli Ponsing
General Physician
11 yrs exp
Chennai
Take general surgeon opinion
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Dr. Chaithra H
General Physician
5 yrs exp
Bangalore
Surgeon
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Dr. Anuj Mothsra
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhunjhunu
Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
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