The word fistula is derived from a Latin word a red, pipe or flute. It implies a chronic granulating track connecting two epithelial-lined surfaces. The anal fistula is a single track with an external opening in the skin of perianal region and an internal opening in the modified skin or mucosa of anal canal or rectum. Fistula-in-ano is considered second to Hemorrhoids among all Ano-rectal abnormalities, is prevalent all over the world and its occurrence in a London Hospital Study (Marks & Richie, 1977) was reported to be 10% of all in patients and 4% of all new out patients. Similar study in India (Raghavaiah, 1976) reported anal fistula to constitute 1.6% of all surgical admissions. In Ayurvedic classics, this disease has been described with the name of BHAGANDARA, which has more similar signs and symptoms with anal fistula. The importance of this disease was first realized by Sushruta (800-1000 B.C.), The Father of Indian Surgery, who described it elaborately in his treatise. In Ayurvedic classics, this disease has been described with the name of BHAGANDARA, which has more similar signs and symptoms with anal fistula. The importance of this disease was first realized by Sushruta (800-1000 B.C.), The Father of Indian Surgery, who described it elaborately in his treatise.
