by Jessjess » 12 Feb 2013, 16:24
Here is some info about the fistula "crud" (this is under the Fistual Surgery sticky note at the top of the page):
Exudate - This is the by-product of healing that those going through open wound healing will start seeing in the wound at about 5 days post-op. At first glance, you may think you have an infection since there will be little gobs of "gunk" in your wound. Exudate can be white, yellowish, grayish, greenish or light brown. Exudate can also have a slight odor, it is normal.
Strong odor with pain, redness and swelling usually indicates infection, call your doctor ASAP.
Exudate is a collection of dead cells and other materials discarded as your body heals itself. It needs to be gently cleaned out of the wound twice daily and this is part of role of packing changes. Exudate can be rinsed out of the wound bed with a hand-held shower sprayer, just flush the entire wound out. You may go though periods of very heavy exudate drainage (lots of healing going on) or minimal exudate drainage (healing slowing down).