Anal fistula

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Anal fistula

ORPHA:228113Particular clinical situation in a disease or syndrome

What it is

A rare intestinal condition characterized by an abnormal communication between the lower rectum and the perianal skin, which usually develops after an acute perianal abscess. A fistulous traject may be established on either side of the anus (never in the midline) and mucous or fecal discharge can appear. The skin around the external orifice can be irritated. Males are more often affected than females.

Key facts

Prevalence
1-5 / 10 000 (Europe)
Age of onset
All ages
Inheritance
Not applicable
Classified as
Particular clinical situation in a disease or syndrome

Prevalence figures describe populations, not individuals, and are often estimates from a single study. Where the figure is an incidence or a birth prevalence, it says so.

Signs and symptoms

Very common80–99%

1

Rare1–4%

2

These ranges are how often a sign appears across everyone diagnosed, not a prediction for one person — most people have some of these and not others. Orphanet also records findings that are specifically absent in this disease; those are in the data but not listed here.

ICD-10 codes

K60.3ICD-10 names this disease exactly

Related health topics

Reached through the ICD-10 categories this disease is filed under, so these describe the broader group rather than this disease specifically.

Cross-references

MEDDRA 10002156MONDO 0000754UMLS C0205929

Orphadata Science: Free access data from Orphanet. © INSERM 1999. Data version 2026-06-23. Available under CC BY 4.0. This is a reference, not medical advice.

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