Difference Between Anastomosis and Fistula

The key difference between anastomosis and fistula is that anastomosis refers to a connection between two tubular structures such as blood vessels, two loops of intestine, etc. while fistula is an abnormal connection between two hollow spaces such as blood vessels, intestines, or other hollow organs.

An anastomosis is a connection between blood vessels or between two loops of the intestine. Normally it connects two distant or separate parts. Moreover, it can be a surgical connection between two tubular structures. Anastomosis may connect two healthy structures. It can also be an abnormal condition, which is called a fistula.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Anastomosis 
3. What is Fistula
4. Similarities Between Anastomosis and Fistula
5. Side by Side Comparison – Anastomosis vs Fistula in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is Anastomosis?

Anastomosis is a connection between two structures, especially between tubular structures. It can be a connection between blood vessels or between two loops of the intestine. Circulatory anastomosis refers to a connection between two blood vessels: two arteries (arterio-arterial anastomosis), two veins (veno-venous anastomosis), or between an artery and a vein (arterio-venous anastomosis). Intestinal anastomosis refers to the sewing of two remaining ends of the intestine together after removing a part of intestine surgically. Anastomosis can be normal or abnormal. Moreover, it may be acquired or innate. Abnormal anastomosis that is congenital or acquired is often called a fistula.

Collateral circulation is a result of the anastomosis. It is an alternate blood circulating pathway which works when the main blood vessel is blocked or injured. Therefore, collateral circulation occurs around a blocked blood vessel, and it supplies enough blood for the tissues. Hence, collateral circulation is very important for patients suffering from ischemic stroke, coronary atherosclerosis and peripheral artery disease.

What is Fistula?

Fistula is an abnormal connection between two tubular or hollow structures such as blood vessels, intestine or other hollow organs. Fistula is an abnormal anastomosis. It can be an abnormal vascular connection. Injury or surgery can give rise to a fistula. Infections or inflammations can also lead to fistula. Since it is an abnormal connection, it is considered as a disease condition. Moreover, they may be surgically created for therapeutic reasons as well. They can also be developed as a result of congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities.

Fistula can be developed in many parts of our body, including eye, adnexa, ear, circulatory system, respiratory system, digestive system, musculoskeletal system and connective tissue, urogenital system, etc. There are three types of fistulas as blind, complete and incomplete.

What are the Similarities Between Anastomosis and Fistula?

• Anastomosis and fistula are connections between two organs.
• An abnormal anastomosis which is congenital or acquired is known as fistula.
• Both can happen in many parts of our body.
• They can be surgically created for therapeutic purposes.

What is the Difference Between Anastomosis and Fistula?

Anastomosis refers to a connection between two tubular structures that are normally diverging or branching. Fistula is an abnormal anastomosis which is normally a disease condition. So, this is the key difference between anastomosis and fistula.

Moreover, another difference between anastomosis and fistula is their significance. Collateral circulation, which is very important for patients suffering from ischemic stroke, coronary atherosclerosis and peripheral artery disease, is a result of the anastomosis. Meanwhile, fistulas can be created surgically for various therapeutic purposes.

Summary – Anastomosis vs Fistula

Anastomosis is a connection between two tubular structures such as blood vessels or between two loops of the intestine. It can be a surgical connection or a natural connection. Fistula is any abnormal tube-like passage within the body. Fistula usually occurs between two internal organs or between an internal organ and a body surface. They can be acquired or congenital. Moreover, fistula can be surgically created for therapeutic purposes. Thus, this is the summary of the difference between anastomosis and fistula.

Reference:

1. “Fistula: Medlineplus Medical Encyclopedia”. Medlineplus.Gov, 2020, Available here.
2. “Anastomosis: Definition, Techniques, Types, And Risks”. Healthline, 2020, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Fistula diag 01” By McortNGHH – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia