Fistula Treatment near Thergaon — FiLaC Laser at Sharvari Hospital, Pimple Nilakh

Who is the fistula specialist for Thergaon patients?

Dr. Kundan Kharde (MBBS · MS (General Surgery)) treats anal fistula at Sharvari Hospital, 5 km from Dange Chowk. Over 19+ years and 6,000+ Surgeries he has moved fistula care to an MRI-first, sphincter-preserving approach: the tract is mapped before any operation, and the technique — fistulotomy, FiLaC laser, LIFT, VAAFT or a staged seton — is chosen to close the tract while protecting continence. He takes recurrent and previously operated cases too. Results vary.

Why does my fistula keep coming back?

A fistula is a tunnel that starts inside the anal canal — usually at an infected gland — and opens on the skin nearby. Draining the abscess at its outer end removes the pus but not the tunnel, so the swelling returns, sometimes at the same spot, sometimes an inch away. The ASCRS clinical practice guideline for fistula-in-ano (2022) is explicit that definitive treatment means dealing with the whole tract and its internal opening, and that the amount of sphincter muscle the tract crosses decides which operation is safe.

That is why mapping comes first. At Sharvari Hospital almost every fistula patient has an MRI fistulogram or trans-rectal ultrasound before surgery — it shows whether the tract is low and simple, crosses the sphincter, branches, or has a hidden collection. For a Thergaon patient this is coordinated from one OPD visit rather than a separate scan centre in Chinchwad and a surgeon somewhere else. See MRI fistula mapping before surgery.

Which fistula operation will I need?

Fistulotomy: A simple, low tract crossing little or no muscle is laid open and heals from the base. The most reliable operation in the ASCRS guideline — for the right tract only.

FiLaC (laser closure): A radial laser fibre seals a single, mature trans-sphincteric tract from inside without cutting muscle. Day-care, small external wound, desk work in a few days.

LIFT: The tract is tied off between the sphincter layers through a small groove incision — no muscle divided, suited to trans-sphincteric tracts with an intact sphincter.

VAAFT: A fine camera enters the tract to find the internal opening and seal branches — useful for complex or previously operated tracts where the anatomy is unclear.

Seton and staged surgery: For active infection, a high or horseshoe tract, or Crohn’s disease, a soft drain is placed first and the definitive operation follows 6–12 weeks later. Recurrent cases: complex fistula treatment.

How do the fistula techniques compare?

The right row is set by the MRI and the examination, not by preference. Each technique trades healing reliability against muscle preservation in a different way.

Healing rates differ between techniques and between patients; sphincter-sparing methods trade a little reliability for continence protection (ASCRS 2022). Results vary.

Why is MRI-first fistula care worth the drive from Thergaon?

MRI before the knife: The operation is chosen for the tract you actually have; an unmapped branch is the commonest reason a fistula returns after surgery elsewhere.

Sphincter first: A muscle-cutting operation is offered only where the tract makes it safe; continence is protected by technique choice.

24×7 abscess drainage: A hot, tense swelling beside the anus should be drained early, not on Monday.

Bleeding without discharge is more likely piles than fistula — see piles treatment for Thergaon patients.

How far is Sharvari Hospital from Thergaon?

About 5 km — 12 to 18 minutes. Route: Dange Chowk → Kalewadi Phata (Aundh–Ravet BRT road) → Rahatani Phata → Vishal Nagar → Sharvari Hospital, behind Gulmohor Park, Pimple Nilakh, Pune 411027. From Thergaon Phata and the Pavana-side lanes take the Kalewadi road to Dange Chowk first. PMPML buses stop at Kalewadi Phata and Rahatani Phata; autos cover the route; parking is at the gate. Call +91 951 951 1928 for the last turn.

What does recovery look like after fistula surgery?

A typical course after day-care FiLaC or LIFT for a Thergaon patient. Fistulotomy wounds take longer to fill in; seton patients follow a two-stage plan.

Typical ranges, not promised timings. Fever, a tense swelling or pus that suddenly increases needs a same-day call. Results vary.

Why patients from Thergaon choose Sharvari Hospital

Patients from Thergaon usually reach our hospital in about 12-18 minutes over a distance of 5.0 km. This helps with quick OPD access and easier follow-up after treatment.

Nearby route landmarks include Dange Chowk, Kalewadi Phata, Rahatani Phata, Vishal Nagar. Public transport options include PMPML buses along the Aundh-Ravet BRT corridor from Dange Chowk; Autos from Thergaon Phata and Ganesh Nagar to Rahatani Phata; App cabs from Thergaon to the hospital gate.

Patient from Thergaon

"Three abscesses drained at three clinics in Chinchwad and each time it came back. Here they did an MRI first, explained the tract on the screen, and did the laser as day-care. The dressing visits were a short ride, which is the only reason I kept them all."

What does fistula surgery cost for Thergaon patients?

The written estimate covers the MRI where needed, surgeon and anaesthesia fees, consumables, room and follow-up. It depends on the tract, the technique the MRI points to and whether a staged plan is needed, so it is given after mapping, not over the phone.

Cashless with 50+ insurers and TPAs; pre-authorisation starts in OPD. Recurrent fistula after surgery elsewhere is usually still covered — bring the previous discharge summary. EMI for co-pay.

Is laser fistula surgery painless?

No, and we do not call it that. FiLaC is done under anaesthesia, so nothing is felt during the procedure. Afterwards there is soreness and discharge for a week or two, milder than after a fistulotomy wound because no muscle is cut and the external wound is small. Simple analgesia and sitz baths manage it for most patients. Results vary.

Can a fistula be treated without surgery?

Rarely. Some very small tracts after a first abscess close on their own, and a seton can control symptoms for a long time, but an established fistula does not heal with ointments, antibiotics or herbal preparations because the tunnel remains. Fibrin glue and plugs have low reliability in the ASCRS guideline. What surgery you need is decided by the map, not the wish to avoid it.