Anus Fistula

Hi, I am new to this form been reading threads since I got a abscess.

My story is as follows: [27yr male]

Hope I am posting in the correct area as I dont have Crohn's Disease from what I have been told just that I was unlucky and got a blocked gland that got infected.

I had my abscess drained 6 months ago. During the surgery they could not find the fistula and they thought there wasn't one.

I went to the doctors and got referred 3 times until I saw a specialist who seems to know what they are talking about as he found the fistula straight away.

I was put on a waiting list to have a seton put in to drain the fistula ( I had my seton put in on 12/10/12).

The surgeon said my fistula is not very complex or deep. He partially laid open the fistula, track curetted and put in a Ethibond draining seton.

He told me in 3 months I should be fine and the seton removed and if it falls out on its own not to worry.

The thing is that how will it fall out if it only a draining seton as its not a cutting seton? and also once removed how will that hole close up?

I really want this thing to go and heal as its not good at all having these things and these day I am quite low. any advice or information will be appreciated :)

Post Edited (vento85) : 12/24/2013 1:19:25 PM (GMT-7)

Hi scifigal2k thank you for your reply. I had a perianal abscess close to the anus hole. On the medical notes from the surgeon the fistula was at 2 O'clock on the outside and inside of my anus. Surgeon said its not the worse he has seen and that its not so deep in. (but not sure how deep though)

I have noticed it gets quite wet, how often should I bath per day? I do use adult dippers for the night and (female) towels during the day.

From what the surgeon said if it falls out it will not because it became lose. That's why I was confused to how it would come out. Any advice that I should be following to aid the healing?

I have read many times that taking a hot bath helps the healing. Is this true? And if so how does this help the healing ?

Post Edited (vento85) : 10/15/2012 6:21:44 PM (GMT-6)

I had my fistula in a similar area. I am ashamed to say that I don't know how my seton came out, but I know I had a draining seton that came out on it's own. Mine was also termed as "not too deep, with limited muscle involvement". My seton stayed in place for nearly a year with a visit every few weeks in the beginning and every couple of months after to tighten the seton.
Get a sitz bath from the local pharmacy. This will allow you to soak multiple times a day without getting in the actual tub/shower. Soaking helps to encourage draining rather than keeping the nasty stuff in. I also have a hand held shower that I use to gently clean the area if needed.

3 months does not seem an issue in waiting.  I went in early on mine due to other things going on.  It takes time for the seton to make an impact so it is not always tightened right away.

 

My thought was that as it is draining and thye tighten the seton, your fistual is reducing in size. I always imagined the fistual as a tubular ring and the seton runs through the middle. As the fistual shrinks down it is tighter around the seton the inside edge of the tube gets so small that it no longer exists and the seton is in a hole instead of a donut shaped ring....I really wish I could explain it like I visualize it

I was always told that Epsom salts help to relieve pain and inflammation. I did not use them, but I may try them in the future.

Seems like the open wound is healing really well so i amvery pleases :)

Just hope this pus stops coming out soon.

Post Edited (vento85) : 10/23/2012 11:10:25 AM (GMT-6)

I did not manage to get a sitz bath yet. I did go to a place that sells/ rents wheelchairs as well as other things but they never head of one.

Next step is a medical supply store.

Post Edited (vento85) : 10/24/2012 4:41:47 AM (GMT-6)

I have not been on this site as much as I planned as I wanted to keep everyone updated in general of my progress.

So on 22 December 2012 I was in surgery again, where they replaced the seton. Aftet 3 months they removed it as it stopped leaking, so they thought it would heal up nicely.

Well time went on and it didn't get better as I could feel stinging and small dots of blood when I placed a tissue on it to check.

In August 2013 I went to see the specialist again and they said the fistula seems to be out of the mussel and they would plan to lay it open. Because of the location it would probably not heal up on its own.

So today was my sugary day! They laid it open and said it looks good a the fistula was not in the mussel.

What would the healing process be like for this? Same as before? Should I still do sit baths? As I thought this was to help the puss come out.

Also what are the chances of this healing up faster than normal as its more flesh wound?

Thanks for your time for reading this. :)