Regarding the causes of anal fistula formation in men, experts from the Nanjing Armed Police Hospital's Anorectal Center explain that anorectal fistulas primarily affect the anal canal and rarely involve the rectum, hence they are commonly referred to as anal fistulas. These are granulomatous channels connecting the perineal skin, with internal openings mostly located near the dentate line and external openings on the perianal skin. The entire fistula wall is composed of thickened fibrous tissue covered by a layer of granulation tissue, which does not heal over time. Its incidence ranks second only to hemorrhoids, and it is more common in young adult males, possibly related to the vigorous secretion of sebaceous glands, one of the sex hormone target organs in males.
There are two types of perirectal abscesses: one associated with anal glands and anal fistulas, called [Primary Acute Anal Gland Intermuscular Fistulous Abscess], abbreviated as [Fistulous Abscess], which is more common; the other unrelated to anal glands and anal fistulas, called [Acute Non-Anal Gland Non-Fistulous Abscess], abbreviated as [Non-Fistulous Abscess], which is less common.
Experts from the Nanjing Armed Police Hospital's Anorectal Center analyze that most anal fistulas result from general pyogenic infections, while a few are due to specific infections such as tuberculosis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis, which are even rarer. Secondary infections from rectal-anal trauma can also lead to anal fistulas, as can malignant tumors of the rectum and anus breaking down into fistulas, but these are rare and clearly distinct from common pyogenic anal fistulas.
Some speculate that the influence of sex hormones is the main cause of anal fistulas. During puberty, the body's own sex hormones become active, leading to the development and proliferation of some sebaceous glands, especially the anal glands, more significantly in young men than in women. Due to the vigorous secretion of anal glands, if combined with poor excretion or blockage of the anal gland ducts, infection and anal gland inflammation can easily occur, explaining why the incidence of anal fistulas is higher in young adult males.
Experts from the Nanjing Armed Police Hospital's Anorectal Center further explain the pathology of male anal fistulas:
An anal fistula consists of a primary internal opening, fistula tract, branch tracts, and secondary external openings. The internal opening is the entry point of the infection source, often located within the anal sinuses and their vicinity, commonly seen on both sides of the posterior midline, but can also be at any part of the lower rectum or anal canal. The fistula tracts can be straight or curved, with a few having branches causing bleeding. External openings are the positions of abscess ulcers or incision drainage, mostly located on the skin around the anus. Since the primary lesion continuously enters the channel through the internal opening, plus the winding path of the channel passing through the internal and external sphincter muscles, the walls composed of fibrous tissue, and the presence of granulation tissue inside the channel, it results in a prolonged non-healing condition.
Experts explain the causes of anal fistula formation in men:
Generally, simple anal fistulas have only one internal and one external opening, which is the most common type. If the external opening is temporarily closed and local drainage is poor, redness and swelling will gradually reoccur, forming another abscess, and the previously closed external opening may reopen or form another external opening elsewhere. This repeated occurrence expands the lesion range or sometimes creates multiple external openings connected to the internal opening, known as complex anal fistulas, i.e., one internal opening with multiple external openings.
However, some believe that complex anal fistulas should not be categorized based on the number of external openings but rather when the main channel involves the anorectal ring or above. Although such anal fistulas may have only one external and one internal opening, treatment is more complicated, thus termed complex anal fistulas. Conversely, sometimes anal fistulas with multiple external openings are not complex to treat.
Experts from the Nanjing Armed Police Hospital's Anorectal Center warn that anal fistulas are extremely harmful and long-term untreated or chronic cases can easily lead to a series of complications. If you discover you have an anal fistula, you should promptly seek diagnosis and treatment at a professional and regular hospital without delay to avoid worsening the condition and increasing the difficulty of treatment.
Special reports: [Hemorrhoids][Anal Fistulas][Anal Fissures][Rectal Bleeding][Anal Itching][Perianal Cysts]
[Nanjing Armed Police Hospital Anorectal Center] http://www.jsgcw.com
[Nanjing Armed Police Hospital Anorectal Center] http://www.njgcyy.net
[Nanjing Armed Police Hospital Anorectal Center] http://www.jswjyy.com
[Nanjing Armed Police Hospital Anorectal Center] http://www.wjgc.net
Consultation phone: 025-85500079 Consultation QQ: 997287111
Hospital Address: No. 256 Heyan Road, Nanjing (100 meters to the right of the north gate of Hongshan Zoo)
Transportation Route: Get off at Hongshan Zoo Station on Metro Line 1; Buses 30, 8, 64, 54, 72, 77, Yuge Line, Nanzhou Line to Dongjingting Station.
[Yangzhou Armed Police Hospital Anorectal Center] http://www.yzwjyy.com
Consultation phone: 0514-87218120 Consultation QQ: 997287111
Hospital Address: No. 8 Jiangnan South Road, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province
Transportation Route: In Yangzhou city, take buses 4, 19, 25, 26, 26 evening, 66, 66 evening, 101, 102, 201, 208, 209 to Armed Police Hospital Station.
Seek medical advice: [Find Experts][Ask Prices][Online Registration]
Related articles: Symptoms of internal hemorrhoids - Yangzhou Hemorrhoid Hospital - Yangzhou Armed Police Hospital Anorectal Center What to do if you have an anal fistula - Nanjing Anal Fistula Hospital - Nanjing Armed Police Hospital Anorectal Center Symptoms of internal hemorrhoids - Yangzhou Hemorrhoid Hospital - Yangzhou Armed Police Hospital Anorectal Center