Does Fecal Incontinence Occur After Anal Fistula Surgery?

Update Date: 2025-02-13 Source: Network

Impact of Anal Fistula Surgery on Bowel Movements and Management

Anal fistula surgery may have a certain degree of impact on bowel movements, but this is usually temporary. Changes in bowel movements after surgery may be related to surgical trauma, local inflammation, edema, and postoperative recovery. With proper care and rehabilitation training, most patients can gradually return to normal.

1. Causes of Postoperative Bowel Movement Issues

After anal fistula surgery, some patients may experience difficulty defecating or abnormal bowel sensations. The main reasons include:

Local Tissue Edema: The surgical area may exhibit inflammatory reactions after lesion excision, causing swelling of the surrounding rectal tissue, thereby affecting bowel movements in the short term.
Changes in Anal Sphincter Function: If the surgery involves the anal sphincter, it may temporarily weaken the sphincter's control ability, leading patients to feel difficulty in defecation or incomplete evacuation.
Postoperative Pain: Pain at the surgical wound may make some patients subconsciously avoid normal exertion, resulting in poor bowel movements or constipation.
Psychological Impact: Some patients' fear of pain or wound tearing during defecation may also affect normal bowel habits and sensations.

2. Relief and Management Methods

Promoting Anal Function Recovery: After surgery, sitz baths with warm water can be performed under medical guidance, which helps reduce local edema, promote blood circulation, and improve the recovery environment of the surgical area.

Dietary Improvement for Bowel Movements: The postoperative diet should focus on soft and easily digestible foods, with increased intake of dietary fiber (such as vegetables and fruits) and adequate water to avoid constipation. Probiotic foods (such as yogurt) can be added to help adjust intestinal flora.

Medication and Adjuvant Therapy: If patients experience difficulty defecating due to pain, softeners like lactulose or polyethylene glycol can be appropriately used under medical advice to prevent irritation of surgical wounds by hard stool. Anti-inflammatory ointments can be applied locally to relieve pain. If postoperative pain is too severe and affects bowel movements, patients should promptly inform their doctors to adjust the treatment plan.

Gradually Restoring Bowel Habits: Avoid holding bowel movements for extended periods and develop a habit of regular defecation. Anal sphincter exercises under medical guidance can help restore sphincter function.

3. When to Seek Medical Attention

If long-term difficulty defecating, frequent fecal incontinence, unrelieved pain, or severe infection occur after surgery, it is necessary to seek medical attention for further examination and treatment. Postoperative recovery varies from person to person. Most patients can gradually return to normal bowel movements with timely postoperative treatment, scientific care, and reasonable dietary habits. If discomfort occurs after surgery, patients should maintain communication with their attending physician to ensure a smooth recovery process.