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Infection
An anal fistula rarely causes any further complications. There is approximately a one in ten chance of a fistula recurring, but with proper treatment and care, a fistula will not normally return. If complications do develop, they are usually the result of fistula surgery.
Any type of surgery carries a risk of infection, and if the fistula is not completely treated during surgery, it can sometimes cause the infection in the tract to spread to other parts of the body. If this happens you may require a course of antibiotics. If the infection is severe, you may need to be admitted to hospital so that antibiotics can be administered intravenously (through a drip in your arm).
Sphincter muscle damage
In some rare cases, surgery may damager the anal sphincter muscles (the ring of muscles that open and close the anus). If the muscles are damaged, this can lead to you losing some control of your bowels (faecal incontinence). If you already have some faecal incontinence, you may find that this worsens after fistula surgery.
view information about Anal Fistula on www.nhs.co.uk »Important Notice
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