Fistulas in women

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Fistulas in women

Postby motherluch » 01 Dec 2011, 06:52

Hello again!
Just wondering if any women out there have, or have had an anterior fistula? I have had a few opinions from CRSs, all which are different. One wouldn't operate at all due to the fact that he says surgery on an anterior fistula runs a high risk of incontinence, another CRS said he would only do a seton, but to me this is not a cure, and another said "no problem" and would do a fistulotomy. I am so confused and am going to another top CRS for another opinion! I have had this thing for 2 years and I AM DONE with it! Most of the time it is manageable, but lately it is causing me a lot of pain/discomfort.
Any advice would be appreciated...would really like to hear anyone's experience.
Thanks
motherluch
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Re: Fistulas in women

Postby Deleted User 579 » 02 Dec 2011, 16:53

Aw Motherluch - I'm so sorry you are suffering. Image I had a fistula that formed as a complication of an LIS I had in May. Mine wasn't anterior - it was off to the side, where the incision had been made (the incision healed the wrong way and formed a fistula). Anyway, while I was preparing for my fistulotomy, I did a lot of reading on the subject, and from what I understand, a lot depends on what kind of fistula you have. If it's a low, superficial fistula, that doesn't involve the sphincter muscle, then a fistulotomy is the standard surgerical intervention. If, however, the fistula is 'high' -- the internal opening is higher up in the anal canal -- then it likely tracts through muscle. In those cases, a seton is used to avoid incontinence. A seton may be a way to fix it, since there are actually two kinds of setons. A draining seton just keeps the fistula open so that it doesn't form an abscess; but a cutting seton actually cuts through the sphincter muscle (like a wire cheese cutter), very slowly so that the muscle heals and continence is preserved. From what I've read, this process can take a few months, but it should actually heal the fistula.
I understand your frustration! Fistulas are no fun at all. I think it's a great idea to get as many opinions as you can and see the top specialists. Have you ruled out IBD as a cause of your fistula? I'm pretty sure that would make a big difference to how the fistula would be treated.
I really hope you find a great doctor and that you feel better very soon!
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