Fistula Plug

Hello!

I have just had my 6th surgery for fissures leading to fistula (long story) and my surgeon used a plug five days ago. Although I am aware that these have a low success rate I was really hoping it would have worked.

Has anyone else had a fistula plugged? My surgery was five days ago and today I passed wind through the fistula :(

I am presuming that this means it has failed but would love to hear from anyone that has had this and it still been successful or anyone that can confirm it has failed. I can't speak to my surgeon until Monday... why do I always have problems at weekends??

Thanks in advance

Helen x

Thank you. I know my consultant operates on a Monday morning so may well head up to the hospital tomorrow evening, get myself admitted and probably a seton put back in Monday morning... My money is now on it having failed judging from the discharge :(

I had the fistula plug surgery about 5 weeks ago. I was really scared after reading so many forums but we prayed and I went ahead with it. I was feeling pretty good the first couple of days but my pain got worse withing the 4-6 days. I didn't have a strong enough stool softener so I highly recommend Benefiber to make sure you have smooth bm's. Also, just know you will be sore after a few days even if you weren't as sore at first. My plug had a button sewn to keep it in place but because of where it was, it was half inside and half outside. I think that was part of what made it so painful. I had some white stringy looking things around the area but found out it was flesh-colored stitches that are supposed to come out. Then I had some drainage up until a few days ago. The last little bit was just a tiny bit of blood then nothing. My button naturally dissolved over time but sometimes I freaked out thinking it was the plug coming out. I was paranoid so my husband had to remind me that if it was the plug, there wasn't anything I could do. So, over time it healed and we just kept praying for closure (in every way!). I thank God for the healing because my doctor told me the success rate was 60%. Granted, I do not have Crohn's but I truly believe God made that fistula close!!

There is hope - fistulas can be cured.