What is a Pilonidal sinus and Anal Fistula, and what is the difference between them? What are the methods of treating a sinus or performing a fistula operation? These are questions we often receive, and we will try to answer them simply.
Meaning of the word sinus or fistula: is a condition in which an abnormal channel or tract connection forms between a cavity inside the body and the outside, or with another cavity. The following are examples of some common fistulas and sinuses.
Pilonidal Sinus (hair cyst):
The sinus is connecting a cyst under the skin to the outside of the body through one or more small openings on the skin in the coccyx area at the mid-line, from which foul-smelling secretions come out.
Anal Fistula:
where an abnormal canal or tract connects the cavity inside the anus or rectum on one end and the outside of the body on the other end. This means there is an opening for the canal inside the anus and an opening on the skin outside near the anus, from which yellowish secretions emerge.
There are many types of fistulas and Sinuses, some of which a person is born with, some of which develop as a result of an infectious disease such as tuberculosis, or some of which develop as a result of surgical intervention. Some of them can be found in other parts of the body, such as the abdomen or breasts, or even fistulas connected to the intestines, inside the chest, or in the neck. However, we will not list them all here or delve into their details, as that is beyond the scope of this article. The reader will also notice that our article and the links above focus on Pilonidal sinus and Anal Fistula.
This page was created with the help of information technology as a mean of communication with incoming inquiries and to try to answer some of the questions that we receive, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
What is contained herein is merely an opinion for your information and is not medical or therapeutic advice for any patient. Medical advice for any patient is not complete without a medical examination and consultation with a specialized physician. .
