Anal bleeding after anal fistula surgery is okay?

Question
Hello doctor,
I just had an anal fistula surgery. Three days after surgery, the anus was still bleeding and had an unpleasant odor. So the doctor asked me if the bleeding after anal fistula surgery is okay? Do I need to check, doctor? Thank you.
Anonymous customer
Answer
Answered by Master, Doctor Hoang Duc Nam - Department of General Surgery, Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.
Hello,
With the question “Is anal bleeding after an anal fistula okay? ", the doctor would like to answer as follows:
You have not described the actual situation when performing anal fistula surgery (simple or complex fistula, location, is there a para-anal abscess or is a prolonged chronic fistula, transsphincter or simple submucosal fistula, high or low internal fistula,... these issues require physical examination and subframe MRI to evaluate the fistula).
As for anal surgery (hemorrhoids, anal fistula, abscess near the anus,...) are left open, clean in place actively (soak the wound in a basin of warm water mixed with salt or povidine), avoid to close the wound early, it will easily become a recurrent abscess,...
Thus, discharge (and or a few drops of blood) after hemorrhoid surgery / anal fistula is normal and also common, can be seen in 10 - 14 days after surgery, the epidemic will be less, ... the surgeon must explain carefully to the patient before surgery and evaluate before discharge from the hospital.
If you still have questions about anal bleeding after an anal fistula surgery, you can go to a hospital of Vinmec Health System for further examination and advice. Thank you for trusting and sending questions to Vinmec. Wishing you lots of health.
Best regards!