Treatments & Procedures
Clear, honest explanations of the conditions we treat and how we treat them.
Anal Fissure
A tear in the anal lining causing sharp pain and bright red bleeding. Fibre, sitz baths, ointments, botulinum toxin and sphincterotomy explained clearly.
Typical recovery: Acute fissures often settle within a few weeks of consistent stool management and topical treatment. Chronic fissures usually need a longer course, and healing is judged over weeks rather than days. After botulinum toxin, the effect develops over days and is temporary. After lateral internal sphincterotomy, most people are comfortable enough for light activity within a few days, with the wound and symptoms settling over several weeks; individual recovery varies with the procedure performed and your general health.
Learn MoreConditionAnal Fistula
A track from the anal canal to the skin, usually after an abscess. How simple and complex fistulas are assessed and treated while protecting continence.
Typical recovery: Healing time varies substantially by fistula anatomy and procedure and should not be reduced to a single fixed timeframe. After abscess drainage, pain usually improves quickly but the wound is dressed and takes time to heal. After fistulotomy, the laid-open wound heals from the base with dressing changes and sitz baths, and timing depends on how much tissue was involved. A draining seton may be left in place for an extended period while inflammation settles or, in selected cases, as longer-term management. Healing after sphincter-preserving procedures such as LIFT, advancement flap, VAAFT or laser ablation is judged over subsequent visits and sometimes requires more than one operation. Individual recovery depends on the complexity of the track, whether Crohn's disease is present, and your general health.
Learn MoreConditionPerianal Abscess
A perianal abscess is a collection of pus caused by infection around the anus. It typically causes increasing pain, swelling and tenderness and usually requires prompt surgical drainage. Antibiotics alone are generally not sufficient for an established abscess, although they may be added when there is cellulitis, systemic infection, diabetes, immunosuppression or other specific clinical concerns.
Typical recovery: Many patients improve substantially after adequate drainage and can return home the same day or after a short hospital stay, depending on the severity of infection and anaesthesia used. The open wound may continue to discharge and heal gradually over several weeks. Return to work and routine activity depends on pain, wound size, occupation and whether the infection was uncomplicated or associated with deeper disease or sepsis.
Learn MoreConditionPiles (Haemorrhoids)
Swollen anal cushions causing bleeding, itching and discomfort.
Typical recovery: 3 - 7 days
Learn MoreConditionPilonidal Sinus
Pits and tracks in the natal cleft causing discharge, pain and abscesses. Drainage, minimally invasive options and off-midline closure surgery explained.
Typical recovery: Recovery differs sharply between techniques. After abscess drainage, pain usually improves within days, with wound care for a few weeks. After minimally invasive or sinus-preserving procedures, pain is generally less and most people return to normal activity within days to a couple of weeks. After excision with off-midline closure, recovery typically takes a few weeks, with restrictions on prolonged sitting and heavy activity while the wound consolidates. Excision left open to heal by secondary intention needs regular dressings and commonly takes weeks to months to heal completely. Individual recovery varies with the extent of disease, the technique used and your general health.
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