A foreign body leading to anal fistula – case reports

Abstract

Anal fistula is pathological tract lined by inflammatory granule connects bottom of the anal crypt with perianal skin. In most cases, anal fistula is a consequence of abscess developed due to infection of anal the glands. The most common symptoms of anal fistula are recurrent inflammation around the anus, pruritus and purulent leakage. In the treatment of fistulas mainly surgical methods are used, however, attempts of conservative treatment (tissue adhesives glues or plugs) are also undertaken. The goal of treatment is to choose a method that will be characterized by high radicality with the lowest possible risk of complications. Literature describes only few cases of perianal fistula caused by a foreign body. The paper presents a case of a 57-year-old man who was diagnosed with fistula-in-ano caused by a foreign body of unknown origin. The patient reported long-term purulent discharge only. Surgical treatment involved resection of the foreign body and fistula with subsequent uneventful recovery during outpatient follow-up. Anal fistula was diagnosed by anamnesis and physical examination, but its cause was detected post-operatively. The reasons and consequences of gastrointestinal perforation as a result of swallowing a foreign body are also discussed.