You might be dealing with an unusual passage (fistula-in-ano) if you have continual discomfort, puffiness, or an unexpected flow from your rectum. An anal fistula is something that almost never heals without assistance from a doctor and nearly always originates with an abscess; most people require specialist surgical intervention to definitively fix the condition while conserving bowel control. Dr. Ashish Vashistha is a namesake for laparoscopic and robotic procedures in Delhi, India.
An anal fistula is a type of abnormal connection (or tunnel) that exists between the skin close to the anus and the anal canal. These are commonly caused by an infection of an abscess in the anal area (usually) that has drained, leaving behind a tract or pathway. Symptoms of anal fistulas generally include discomfort (pain), swelling, drainage (around the rectum), bleeding from the rectum, and recurring infections. If not addressed medically, anal fistulas will result in persistent discomfort, irritation of the skin and ongoing infection.