Pilonidal disease mimicking anterior anal fistula and associated with posterior anal fistula: a two-step surgery. Case report.

ABSTRACT

AIM: Anal fistula is a common disease originated from abscess according the cryptoglandular theory. A rare etiology is the pilonidal disease. In our case we observed a pilonidal disease mimicking an anterior perianal fistula, associated with another posterior anal fistula. CASE PRESENTATION A 36-year old man was referred to our department with an anal fistula with an anterior opening. Despite the clinical examination and the endoanal ultrasound, only during the surgery we discovered the origin of the anterior fistula from a misdiagnosed pilonidal sinus. There was also a posterior anal fistula in communication with the same abscess of the anterior one. We performed a two-step surgery with a first fistulectomy of the anterior tract, a drainage of abscess and the positioning of a seton for the posterior fistula. After about one month and the fall of the seton we evaluate the good healing of posterior anal fistula and excised the residual pilonidal sinus. CONCLUSION: This misdiagnosed pilonidal disease created in our clinical report a true challenge. Our goal was to eliminate as much disease as possible, but also to avoid major complications or recurrences. We refused an aggressive approach and chose a two-step surgery, with in the first approach not only a demolitive time but also a reconstruction to facilitate healing, and in the second time the complete eradication of the pathology.