Cutting-edge laser treatment for anal fistulas — sphincter-preserving, day-care procedure with minimal pain and low recurrence rates.
An anal fistula is an abnormal tunnel that forms between the inside of the anal canal and the skin around the anus. It almost always develops after an anal abscess — a pocket of infection in the glands just inside the anal canal. When the abscess drains (either spontaneously or surgically), a persistent channel sometimes remains, creating the fistula. The tract stays open because it is constantly contaminated by bowel contents passing through the anal canal.
Fistulas cause recurrent discharge of pus or blood-stained fluid onto the surrounding skin, associated with discomfort, itching and periodic flare-ups of infection. They never heal on their own. Surgery is always required to eliminate the tract permanently.
Traditional fistula surgery (fistulotomy) cuts through the sphincter muscle overlying the tract. For simple, low fistulas, this is safe. For complex or high fistulas that pass through a significant portion of the sphincter, cutting carries a real risk of bowel control problems. FiLaC (Fistula-track Laser Closure) bypasses this risk entirely by ablating the tract from within using a laser probe, leaving the sphincter completely untouched. This makes it the preferred approach for complex and recurrent fistulas.
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Book Consultation 📞 +91 93533 16175The procedure takes 30 to 45 minutes under spinal or general anaesthesia. The sphincter muscle is not cut at any point during the operation.
Spinal or general anaesthesia is administered. The patient is positioned to give complete access to the anal area. The external skin opening of the fistula is identified and marked.
A probe is passed through the fistula tract to map its course and confirm the internal opening in the anal canal. The depth and relationship to the sphincter muscle is carefully assessed.
A radially emitting laser probe (FiLaC system) is introduced into the fistula tract through the external opening. The probe delivers laser energy in a 360-degree pattern as it is slowly withdrawn along the tract.
The laser energy ablates and destroys the fistula tract lining from within, causing it to collapse and seal. No sphincter muscle is cut or divided at any stage. Secondary tracts are also treated if present.
The internal opening is closed with a small suture. The external opening is curetted clean. A simple dressing is applied. Most patients go home within 4 to 6 hours of the procedure.
Home the same day. Mild soreness at the external opening is expected. Take prescribed analgesics and stool softeners. Keep the area clean with sitz baths twice daily.
Return to desk work and light activity. Some mild discharge from the external opening for the first week is normal — the tract is healing from within. Keep the area clean and dry.
The external opening gradually closes. Discharge decreases significantly. Avoid strenuous physical activity and heavy lifting. Continue sitz baths and high-fibre diet.
Complete closure of the tract in the majority of patients. A follow-up examination confirms healing. If any residual tract persists, a further laser session may be planned.
FiLaC laser surgery treats the fistula without cutting a single millimetre of sphincter muscle, eliminating the incontinence risk associated with traditional fistulotomy.
Extensive experience treating simple and complex fistulas, including recurrent and multi-tract cases that have failed previous surgery elsewhere.
No prolonged hospital stay or open wound management needed. Go home the same day and return to normal activity within a few days.
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