Conclusions
Fistula-in-ano is not a rare affliction of infancy or childhood. In infants it is caused by infected anal glands but the mechanism is not the same as is the case in adults. Usually the cause is passage of frequent, soft stools or there are diarrheal episodes which traumatize the walls of the anorectal outlet which differ anatomically from those of adults. Diagnosis can be made easily and the treatment of choice is simple fistulotomy.
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References
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Matt, J.G. Anal fistula in infants and children. Dis Colon Rectum 3, 258–261 (1960). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02616564
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02616564