In a historic milestone for colorectal surgery in India, Dr. Ashwin Porwal, founder of Healing Hands Clinic, Pune, successfully treated Asia’s longest recorded anal fistula, measuring an astonishing 110 centimeters. The complex case involved a 63-year-old retired Army Havildar who had been suffering from chronic pain and discharge for years.
The achievement has been recognized by the Asia Book of Records, placing both Dr. Porwal and Pune firmly on the map for cutting-edge laser proctology.
The patient was diagnosed with a horseshoe-shaped fistula that stretched down to his knee—an extremely rare and challenging presentation in proctology. He had consulted several surgeons across India but was turned away due to the case’s complexity.
“The fistula was one of the longest and most complicated we had ever seen,” said Dr. Porwal. “We chose a minimally invasive approach to ensure effective healing while preserving sphincter control.”
Dr. Porwal employed a DLPL laser technique, a procedure he pioneered, which combines laser energy to destroy infected tracts and ligation of internal openings to prevent recurrence. The surgery, performed in May 2019, lasted nearly four hours and resulted in complete healing with zero incontinence.
- Length of fistula removed: 110 cm
- Duration of surgery: ~4 hours
- Recognition: Certified by the Asia Book of Records
- Recovery: The patient recovered fully and resumed normal activity within weeks
The case has drawn global attention, particularly in proctology and colorectal forums, for successfully managing such an extreme case through a minimally invasive technique.
This case underscores India’s advancement in laser-based colorectal treatments and the growing global reputation of Pune as a hub for proctology excellence. Healing Hands Clinic has since become a referral center for complex fistula cases from around the world, including the USA, UAE, and Europe.
Dr. Porwal’s achievement offers hope to thousands suffering from chronic fistula and reinforces the importance of innovation in modern surgical care.
