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Goodsall's rule

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Goodsall's rule is applied to the examination of anal fistula. It states that

  • if the external opening of a fistula lies posterior to a line drawn from 9 o’clock to 3 o’clock then it tracks around the anus laterally and opens into the midline posteriorly.
  • if the external opening lies anterior to this line, then it opens directly into the anal canal

It should be noted that application of this rule is often unreliable in anterior fistulas and those with underlying disease (1).

Reference:

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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