Fistulotomy

[fistulotomy99]

I recently had a fibrin plug used to try to fix a fistula. The procedure didn't work, so now I'm thinking about having a fistulotomy performed. My biggest fear is that I will lose anal strength and have problems holding in gas, etc.

Has anyone had the surgery performed? If so, can you tell me how it went and what the results were like?

[lrkrahn]

I recently had a fibrin plug used to try to fix a fistula. The procedure didn't work, so now I'm thinking about having a fistulotomy performed. My biggest fear is that I will lose anal strength and have problems holding in gas, etc.

Has anyone had the surgery performed? If so, can you tell me how it went and what the results were like?

I had a fistulotomy a little over a week ago. Things went very well and I feel great with out any problems. Just make sure you go to a colorectal surgeon who knows what he/she is doing. I have been dealing with a fistula for about a year. It started as an anal abcess that I thought was a hemorrhoid and suffered for 3 months thinking it would go away. My general doctor lanced it three times which I would NEVER do again without being put under. It was the most painful thing I have ever experienced. I asked to be referred to another doctor and was put on IV antibiotics for 4 days. They put me under, cleared out only 1/2 of the abcess, did a scope and said they didn't find a fistula. A week later the infection and pain returned making me more sick then ever. They finally referred me to a colorectal surgeon where he put two setons in to drain the abcess. After three months of draining he preformed a fistula flap which failed after about five days. My next surgery was scheduled for Nov.6th with plans of taking tissue from my labia to fill in the hole. I didn't feel very comfortable with that surgery and when he examined me found that the fistula was lower than it was before the first surgery. (Sometimes a flap can heal it up some, which in my case did.) Not really sure how it happened but luckily where it was now there was no muscle to worry about incontance. Just make sure the doctor is sure of how much muscle is being cut (an ultra sound can detect that) and how high the fistula is before you have it performed. A flap has a higher success rate than a plug and I would maybe ask if they would try that first if the fistula is too high. I guess I just lucked out because my doctor refused to do a fistulotomy the first time saying I would have a high chance of being incontant and I'm only 40. Good Luck and I hope all goes well.

[fistulotomy99]

Thanks for the information. I will discuss this with my Dr. Can you please keep me posted on how you are healing. Due to things going on in my life right now I'm not going to have the surgery until March, so I have time to figure out what I'm going to do.

Thanks again, and good luck with everything.

[lrkrahn]

Things are still going great after the fistulotomy and I don' t have any regrets doing it. The only thing is that I sometimes (not always) have a problem with contolling the gas. It can be very embarrassing but I had that same problem after they did the advancement flap also. I have learned to sit down when I feel there might be a problem and people are around. HA!! I think it is getting better as it did after my first surgery and will just be a matter of time until things are tightened up again. I'm just so thankful to be feeling so great and being able to get on with my life again. I still strongly recommend finding a surgeon that is really good and you feel comfortable with. Good luck and let me know what you decide and how it all turns out.

[fistulotomy99]

Hey, thanks for the information. I will post something after the surgery. It's not scheduled until March due to my schedule and my ability recuperate. Until then its just a big pain in the ...

I was wondering how old you are and what type of shape you consider yourself to be in?

[lrkrahn]

I'm 40 years old and I am a very active female. I'm average weight and height and work out 5 to 6 days a week. To be honest I am hardly ever sick so this really threw me for a loop. Are you still dealing with an abcess?? If you are I really hope they put in a seton to help with the pain and drain the infection. I couldn't believe what a difference it made. Good luck and keep me posted.

[fistulotomy99]

Thanks for the info. Physically, we are very simillar, except for the fact that I'm a male. But I'll be 40 in a few months, work out 4-5 times a week and in great shape. Hopefully, Ill have similar results.

As for an abscess, I don't realy have much. Every few days it seems to hurt and drain a little bit. If it gets too painful, I take some antibiotics for a few days and it gets better.

I'm going to see someone for a second opinion in January, just to verify what I'm being told by the first Dr. and to help me decide if I'm going to try a plug again or not. But as of now, I'm difinitely leaning towards not doing the plug again. I will also talk to the new Dr. about the possibility of a stint.


Thanks again for the info.

Bob

[fistulotomy99]

Hi there,

We exchanged e-mails a few months ago about our common heath issue. I just had the fistultomy performed this past Friday. The Dr. said it was very superficial, and tied it off with some type of surgical string that will slowly cut away the tissue and heal up. I'm not in much pain, but getting discharge, which I'm told is normal.

Realistically, how long do you think the discharge will last?

How is your's healing?

[lrkrahn]

I'm sure you're glad to be done with the whole issue. I'm guessing the discharge will last three weeks to a month with it slowly getting less and less. MIne did anyway. Hopefully you'll be painfree in a week. I still can't believe you were able to wait this long to get it taken care of. Were you in much pain before the surgery?? I am totally back to normal and feeling great. I was just talking about how great it was to be feeling so good again. Will the doctor have to tighten the string every week until it has cut through? I've heard that that procedure works pretty well. Don't worry if you have to make mad dashes to the bathroom...it does get better. ;) Good luck and keep me informed on how everything went. Good luck!! Lynn :)

[fistulotomy99]

Hi Lynn,

Your advice on this definitely helped me get through it. It's been a month and a half since the surgery and everything is great. The discharge ended after about 3 weeks after, and I'm not having any problems with incontence. Running is fine too.

My only regret is that I tried the plug last year and didn't just do this right from the start. But, I guess I had to give it a try.

Take care, and thanks for the support. If I can ever return the favor, let me know.